The GAA remains firmly and steadfastly committed to the Casement Park project, but insists there isn’t a blank cheque for the redevelopment of the famous West Belfast stadium.
The association remains prepared to contribute £15m in order to see a planned 34-500 capacity stadium built on the Andersonstown Road. That was also the figure the GAA was willing to pay back in 2011 when the NI Executive gave a commitment to upgrade Casement along with Windsor Park and Ravenhill.
While Winsor and Ravenhill have been transformed into modern stadiums, Casement Park lies in ruins.
Read more: Antrim hurling star Neil McManus opens up on retirement thoughts
The redevelopment of Casement has been in the headlines for over a decade, but those involved at the coalface of the project believe there is light at the end of the tunnel.
With all legal challenges and planning issues in the rearview mirror, Stephen McGeehan knows the next major hurdle to clear is financing the project.
Under the original funding model, the cost of building the new stadium (then to be a 40,000 capacity venue) was estimated to be £77.5 million with £62.5m coming from local government and the GAA contributing £15m.
Pre-Covid, the costs were estimated to have soared to £110m and the final figure is anticipated to be much greater.
When asked if there was a point at which the GAA would walk away from the Casement Park redevelopment due to the cost involved, McGeehan replied: “I might ask that question in a different way. People may say, is it a case that a stadium should be built at any cost?
“From an Ulster Council GAA point of view and from a GAA perspective, we would say no.
“Clearly, from an affordability, value for money and an investment point of view, we feel the Casement Park Stadium should proceed and it should proceed at the 34,000 capacity that we’ve long anticipated and waited for.
“We’re a very strong organisation in relation to our governance and we will make sure that, as well as the cost we’ve talked about, that that cost can be demonstrated on the basis of the economic benefits that the new stadium will bring.
"To that we say that, with that investment will come significant economic benefits and, therefore, we believe that our case should stack.”
Last month, Casement Park was included as one of 14 stadiums in the bid dossier to host Euro 2028 - a joint venture between the English FA, Scottish FA, Welsh FA, the IFA and the FAI.
Croke Park and the Aviva Stadium in Dublin are also included with the final shortlist reduced to 10 next April.
The 18,500 capacity of Windsor Park falls well short of the minimum requirements set out by UEFA and the IFA’s Chief Executive, Patrick Nelson, approached the Ulster Council with a view to including Casement Park in the list of stadiums.
Yet, the absence of an Executive at Stormont continues to cast doubt, not just on the viability of Casement Park being included in the Euro 2028 bid, but also on the completion of the project itself.
McGeehan is confident that the financial package that was promised still remains available, although he concedes there is a level of “uncertainty” surrounding funding.
“From the point of view of the GAA, we would say that a commitment was made to us a number of years ago and we’d like to see that commitment delivered,” said McGeehan.
“We do appreciate and understand that there are some technical issues that the absence of ministers creates for the Civil Service here.
“We are watching with interest the ‘Executive Functions Act’ that will be going through the House of Commons to see what, if any, decisions can be made in the future in relation to the development of Casement Park.
“From an immediate point of view, our focus is entirely on the design and completion of the business case.
“From a project governance perspective, we’ll be into the Spring of next year, moving towards the Summer of next year before some of those really important decisions are required.
“As citizens here, we sincerely hope to see the return of Executive ministers soon to take some of this uncertainty that exists that ministers will return and critical decisions for this and other projects can and will be taken.”
The best case scenario would see the funding issues resolved and for the redevelopment work to start on the site by the end of next year.
The GAA are optimistic that, allowing for a two-year build, the first games could take place by the end of the 2025 season and that Casement would be ready to host a full schedule of Gaelic Games in 2026.
A host of Antrim stars will never get the chance to play in the new stadium. Paddy Cunningham has already retired from inter-county duty but continues to line out for his native Lámh Dhearg club.
Neil McManus has committed to another season for Antrim, but how much game time he’ll get for club or county in the new stadium remains to be seen.
Both men have fond memories of playing in the old stadium, a fortress for the Saffrons with the venue boosting one of the best playing surfaces in the province.
McManus says it is a shame so many players could go their entire county career without playing at Casement at all and has called on the funding issue to be resolved.
“Everybody knows that the costs have increased so there’s going to need to be a joined up approach from the Irish government, the government in the North and the GAA,” said McManus.
“Let’s be honest - the funds are there. This is a brilliant capital project. We are going to need buy-in from the governments North and South and from the GAA and also from Sport Ireland.
“No other sporting organisation or grouping provides the level of support within the community, especially in rural Ireland, that the GAA does.
"I think we need to get all the stakeholders together to make it happen because it is too important a project to leave unattended any longer. Generations of Antrim players will have come and gone before Casement Park is finally built.”
Like McManus, Paddy Cunningham has been a long-time advocate of the project and he feels that there is a renewed emphasis on getting the redevelopment over the line.
“I grew up going to games in Casement Park. I was lucky enough to play county finals there and for Antrim Minors, U21s and Seniors,” said Cunningham.
“My fondest memory was playing for Antrim minors against Cavan - that was the first time I represented my county.
“We look on with envy at Windsor Park and Kingspan Ravenhill - two state-of-the-art stadiums.
“Casement has been sitting dormant for too long in my opinion. Obviously, there’s been issues in terms of planning.
“Hopefully, there’s light at the end of the tunnel and, hopefully, we’ll see construction starting in the next 12-18 months.”
The redevelopment of Casement Park has been a long-winded and drawn-out saga for all concerned. The GAA are adamant that the economic and social benefits outweigh the costs.
Yet, the absence of an Executive at Stormont and the shortfall in funding means the Casement Park project could yet move into even more extra-time.
Video by Harry Bateman.
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