GAA criticise UK government’s Casement Park U-turn in damning statement

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn announced the shock decision on Friday evening.

GAA bosses have slammed the decision by the UK government to pull funding on the Casement Park redevelopment ahead of Euro 2028.

The disappointing decision to scrap funding for the redevelopment was delivered by Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy in a joint letter to Communities Minister Gordon Lyons on Friday evening.

A newly-redeveloped Casement Park was set to host five games during the group stages of the competition – a prospect that would have provided a major boost to the economy in the North.

The news is a devastating blow to the sporting community in Northern Ireland, who were set to welcome players and fans from all over the world when the UK & Ireland host the major competition in four years.

The Irish government and the GAA had previously pledged to contribute to the redevelopment, but delays and rising costs have led to a funding shortage.

Now, the Gaelic Athletic Association has released a public statement criticising the "missed opportunity".

"Confirmation that Belfast will not be hosting the UEFA EURO 2028 Championships is a missed opportunity and it is one that our entire society will look back on with considerable regret," they wrote.

"Ulster GAA has taken every possible step to keep the project on track for the UEFA Euro 2028 Football Championships.  This included investing over £4m in critical aspects of pre-enabling works in anticipation of the procurement of the new main contractor.

"On his appointment to office the Secretary of State Hilary Benn on behalf of the British Government gave firm commitments that Casement Park will be built, a commitment also given by his predecessor. We have sought an urgent meeting with him to agree next steps."

The statement continued: "Casement Park will be built, and we will work with all partners to ensure that the promises made by the NI Executive over thirteen years ago and within successive Programmes for Government, to deliver on the strategic stadia need of the GAA in the province and in Belfast, Ireland’s second city, are fulfilled.

"As we continue to work towards the delivery of the new Casement Park, which will host Gaelic Games at all levels and be a community hub for West Belfast, we would like to thank Gaels throughout Antrim, Ulster and Ireland for their patience, commitment and unwavering support for the project over many years."

Ulster GAA statement on Casement Park:

Read here 👉 https://t.co/4wGpfrgE3U pic.twitter.com/Rlg6gdDgW1

— Ulster GAA (@UlsterGAA) September 14, 2024

It was a move that shocked many, given the UK government's previous commitment to the redevelopment in association with the Irish government and the GAA.

The joint letter said that costs have spiralled to £400m, making the project a "significant risk" as it might not be completed in time for Euro 2028, which will be jointly hosted by Ireland and the UK.

Mr Lyons has said he will engage with the UK Government and other partners to “see how Northern Ireland can still benefit” from hosting Euro 2028 and “ensure that there is a lasting legacy for football in Northern Ireland”.

The Communities Minister added that his department “remains committed to the 2011 agreement with the GAA for a GAA stadium and we will engage with them in due course.”