Ulster GAA has said it is “time to decide” if the revamp of Casement Park will happen in time for Euro 2028 after the organisation’s president expressed his pessimism.
The provincial leadership threw down the challenge to the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive, emphasising the urgent need to act if they want Belfast to host the third-largest sporting event in the world.
Economy Minister Conor Murphy also weighed in with a stinging attack on the outgoing Conservative government over its claimed failure to commit funding to the development of Casement Park.
“In another act of outright contempt for people here, the Tories walked off the pitch with a bag full of broken promises which now risk squandering the opportunity to generate over £100m in our local economy,” Mr Murphy said.
The Sinn Fein MLA and Ulster GAA were responding after the GAA President Jarlath Burns expressed his concern over the receding chances that Belfast will host Euro 2028 games at a revamped west Belfast stadium.
Mr Burns told the launch event of the All-Ireland hurling championships in Co Clare of his pessimism.
“It’s not looking as if we’re going to get the Euros,” he said.
In a statement on Wednesday, Ulster GAA said: “The recent comments of Jarlath Burns reflects the frustration and dismay regarding the delay in the development of Casement Park.”
The provincial leadership said it was confirmed in a meeting with UK Government representatives no details of funding will be available until after the July 4 general election.
“To keep this global and transformational opportunity alive, we are now urgently calling on the Northern Ireland Executive to collectively discuss the opportunities that Euro 2028 will create for our society and the reputational, economic and sporting risk of losing this global event,” the statement continued.
“The time is quickly approaching for the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive to decide if they want to host the third-largest sporting event in the world, in Belfast.
“We are also calling for the procurement tender documents to be released without further delay to ensure the project development remains within UEFA timelines.”
Mr Murphy, the economy minister, said a “first-class stadium at Casement Park will be built.”
But he added: “Hosting the 2028 Euros at Casement Park is an opportunity which should not be missed, and it beggars belief that the British government would jeopardise hosting this prestigious tournament and the major economic benefits that come with it.
“We will be seeking an urgent meeting with the new British government to ensure proper funding for our public services, and will be making it clear that they must honour the commitment to contribute the funding to build Casement Park.”
A Department for Communities spokesperson said: “NI Executive funding was allocated for the redevelopment of Casement Park in 2011 and remains in place. Funding for a Euros enabled Casement Park has yet to be clarified by all partners.”
Mr Burns said the redevelopment of Casement Park would still proceed, but not to the specification required to meet UEFA standards for hosting a tournament on that scale.
The Executive has committed £62.5m, the Irish Government £50m while the GAA will pay £15m.
Mr Burns added: “The big loser here is going to be the game of soccer in Northern Ireland society and the economy.
“The Department for the Economy was waiting to weigh in with all sorts of other things that were going to come from there. It’s just a pity. But we’re still very hopeful and expectant that we’re going to get the funds to make a provincial stadium where we can play our Ulster finals.”
SDLP West Belfast councillor Paul Doherty said a failure to redevelop Casement Park in time for Euro 2028 would be a betrayal to communities that deserve investment.
“There is real concern in our community today that this once in a lifetime opportunity to host the Euros is slipping through our fingers,” said Mr Doherty.
“This would be a landmark event, not only for west Belfast, but for our city as a whole and I cannot believe we now face the very real risk of our part in this bid falling apart.”
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll said while his party is supportive of the redevelopment of the stadium, it “has been a disaster from day one and both government parties and the GAA hierarchy must accept responsibility”.
“They tried to run roughshod over local residents who were forced to go to court to overturn plans for an overdeveloped stadium with a capacity that was much too high.”
