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Casement Park

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Replying To Ulsterman: "Good post Saffron, nail on head. Many on HS haven't the first clue what it is like to be a Gael in the North nor do many of them care if we are being honest. We've had members murdered, others attacked, threatened and intimidated, club houses burnt down, bombs hung on changing rooms, pitches studded with broken bottles and dog sht spread all over our facilities. Now a sectarian campaign by the Unionist political and media Establishment has worked again. Casement was more than just a football pitch, it was the litmus test for powersharing and 2 fingers have been stuck up to us." Yet people are convinced there will be a United Ireland.... Bon (Kildare)* - Posts: 2054 - 14/09/2024 16:03:05 2569848 Link
The UK Govt is scrapping money together, its rightly getting battered for slashing fuel subsidies for the elderly yet finds millions to heat Ukraine. But UK budget in a brutal state, the cost of this Stadium is outrageous. Unfortunately the costs have skyrocketted maybe the spec for a UEFA stadium is stadium too far. Hard on people who have been advocating and working for this. Somewhere else will get the financial rewards. arock (Dublin) - Posts: 4937 - 14/09/2024 18:00:12 2569856 Link
Casement park would have been rebuilt years ago only for objections from locals in west Belfast so all the blame cant be put on English Government or politics, just greed by locals. jacktheboy (Donegal) - Posts: 439 - 14/09/2024 18:35:35 2569861 Link
If the gaa won't pay for it ya can't really expect the English to. That's like asking the irish government to pay for some run down soccer club in London Thejampot (Leitrim) - Posts: 315 - 14/09/2024 19:38:49 2569869 Link
I truly think that the UK Government are no longer going to sink money in NI. They're no longer interested in holding onto it. Wait to next year's Parades time arrives and they pull the carpet on the millions thats costing also. border Gael (Monaghan) - Posts: 904 - 14/09/2024 21:07:00 2569887 Link
Replying To Thejampot: "If the gaa won't pay for it ya can't really expect the English to. That's like asking the irish government to pay for some run down soccer club in London" London isn't under the Irish Government's jurisdiction. Belfast is unfortunately under the British Government's. Taxes paid by GAA members in the North go to the British Government's coffers (HMRC) Seanfanbocht (Roscommon) - Posts: 1832 - 14/09/2024 21:12:50 2569889 Link
Replying To Seanfanbocht: "London isn't under the Irish Government's jurisdiction. Belfast is unfortunately under the British Government's. Taxes paid by GAA members in the North go to the British Government's coffers (HMRC)" Who owens it?? Thejampot (Leitrim) - Posts: 315 - 14/09/2024 23:42:21 2569899 Link
They could still get it built but not as a UEFFA stadium which costs over 400 ,million. FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2792 - 15/09/2024 09:05:13 2569914 Link
Replying To arock: "The UK Govt is scrapping money together, its rightly getting battered for slashing fuel subsidies for the elderly yet finds millions to heat Ukraine. But UK budget in a brutal state, the cost of this Stadium is outrageous. Unfortunately the costs have skyrocketted maybe the spec for a UEFA stadium is stadium too far. Hard on people who have been advocating and working for this. Somewhere else will get the financial rewards." A simple tiered 'croke park' type stadium design should be possible for the site. I cannot understand why a fancy design is needed that clearly cost a fortune. It's increasingly looking like some architectural firm is looking to leave a design legacy..... even Pairc Ui Chaoimh is starting to look like value and look what that cost... Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 963 - 15/09/2024 09:55:21 2569918 Link
Replying To thelongridge: "There are people down here who have no idea of the ordeal that the Nationalist people, went through. from 1922 until recent times, at the hands of the Unionist Govt. The UK Governments ignored the blatant discrimination for years. That rump still have influence in NI, although the Unionist position is in decline." The unionist position is to retain 6 counties as part of UK. The 6 counties are still part of UK and there is no sign that is going to change any time in any of our life times. This 30 years after Sinn Féin were saying they'd be gone before we knew it! Unionists are people who run part of Ireland for Britain. Not confined to any political party bearing that name, obviously. It is pathetic situation that any Irish nationalist is begging off them, and sad that GAA is looking for something off back of hosting soccer. "Where's your ffn pride" as a former rugby chap once demanded. BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 2974 - 15/09/2024 10:14:32 2569919 Link
Replying To BarneyGrant: "The unionist position is to retain 6 counties as part of UK. The 6 counties are still part of UK and there is no sign that is going to change any time in any of our life times. This 30 years after Sinn Féin were saying they'd be gone before we knew it! Unionists are people who run part of Ireland for Britain. Not confined to any political party bearing that name, obviously. It is pathetic situation that any Irish nationalist is begging off them, and sad that GAA is looking for something off back of hosting soccer. "Where's your ffn pride" as a former rugby chap once demanded." Irish nationalists in 6 counties pay their taxes. And are entitled to respect from UK and Irish governments. There are "West brits" everywhere in Dublin aswell as N.I. Who still seem to think Ireland is actually England. galwayford (Galway) - Posts: 2565 - 15/09/2024 12:08:54 2569933 Link
Replying To galwayford: "Irish nationalists in 6 counties pay their taxes. And are entitled to respect from UK and Irish governments. There are "West brits" everywhere in Dublin aswell as N.I. Who still seem to think Ireland is actually England." You seem to be unaware of who the main party in north is? They agreed to this subservient position. And will implementing the fuel allowance cuts. Can't have your cake and eat it too. BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 2974 - 15/09/2024 13:43:22 2569949 Link
Replying To Square_B: "A simple tiered 'croke park' type stadium design should be possible for the site. I cannot understand why a fancy design is needed that clearly cost a fortune. It's increasingly looking like some architectural firm is looking to leave a design legacy..... even Pairc Ui Chaoimh is starting to look like value and look what that cost..." Both Windsor Park and Ravenhill were upgraded to accommodate 18,500 with UK Govt subsidy in the past decade. It would be nice to see a similar accommodation built for Antrim GAA for inter county fixtures in hurling/football and club matches at Casement. It wouldn't be big enough to host an Ulster final but would rescue something from this current mess. Our Govt could still contribute indirectly via the GAA. I see Louth hope to build a 14,000 stadium in Dundalk at an estimated cost of €23.5mln and Kildare hoping to spend €17,000mln to upgrade St Conleth's Park to 15,000 capacity. Pairc Uí Chaoimh being a modern build should be close to satisfying EUFA standard specifications. I know the existing 8 host cities for Euro28 (London, Cardiff, Dublin, Glasgow, Newcastle, , Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool) can easily absorb the games destined for Belfast but wouldn't Munster be a lovely location for a seeded team to be based. Curlew66 (Roscommon) - Posts: 576 - 15/09/2024 19:39:54 2569980 Link
Replying To Curlew66: "Both Windsor Park and Ravenhill were upgraded to accommodate 18,500 with UK Govt subsidy in the past decade. It would be nice to see a similar accommodation built for Antrim GAA for inter county fixtures in hurling/football and club matches at Casement. It wouldn't be big enough to host an Ulster final but would rescue something from this current mess. Our Govt could still contribute indirectly via the GAA. I see Louth hope to build a 14,000 stadium in Dundalk at an estimated cost of €23.5mln and Kildare hoping to spend €17,000mln to upgrade St Conleth's Park to 15,000 capacity. Pairc Uí Chaoimh being a modern build should be close to satisfying EUFA standard specifications. I know the existing 8 host cities for Euro28 (London, Cardiff, Dublin, Glasgow, Newcastle, , Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool) can easily absorb the games destined for Belfast but wouldn't Munster be a lovely location for a seeded team to be based." Belfast deserves a 35 to 40k sized stadium at a minimum be it at Casement Park or some other site in the city. c£115mil (£58mil already committed by the Irish Gov & the GAA & a commitment by the UK Government / NI Executive to match) would surely build a decent no frills stadium with corporate facilities etc. Croke Park was never designed with UEFA spec in mind so we shouldn't worry one iota about that. Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 963 - 15/09/2024 20:40:22 2569999 Link
Replying To Square_B: "Belfast deserves a 35 to 40k sized stadium at a minimum be it at Casement Park or some other site in the city. c£115mil (£58mil already committed by the Irish Gov & the GAA & a commitment by the UK Government / NI Executive to match) would surely build a decent no frills stadium with corporate facilities etc. Croke Park was never designed with UEFA spec in mind so we shouldn't worry one iota about that." Agree 100% , a 40,000+ all seated municipal /community stadium would be superb for Belfast. Could be used as a concert venue, Ulster final, soccer Internationals (e.g. NI v England/France/Germany/Italy etc where demand would exceed Windsor's capacity) , rugby internationals, European Rugby Champions cup, Europa Cup, international conferences etc. Challenge then is to find a neutral location acceptable to all. Seems to be big opposition to the old Maze site and Casement as locations. Curlew66 (Roscommon) - Posts: 576 - 15/09/2024 22:10:27 2570020 Link
Replying To galwayford: "Irish nationalists in 6 counties pay their taxes. And are entitled to respect from UK and Irish governments. There are "West brits" everywhere in Dublin aswell as N.I. Who still seem to think Ireland is actually England." I agree with yourself, and Barney to an extent. We are all taxed in the North but If the Brits won't put money into Casement so be it.I wouldn't be begging any Brit. I'd pool the money they have and see what can be done with Casement, Antrim needs it. Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2133 - 15/09/2024 22:21:44 2570023 Link
Replying To Saynothing: "I agree with yourself, and Barney to an extent. We are all taxed in the North but If the Brits won't put money into Casement so be it.I wouldn't be begging any Brit. I'd pool the money they have and see what can be done with Casement, Antrim needs it." When will Antrim hurlers or footballers ever need anything more than 15 to 20,000 seats. They whole effort was shambolic driven on by bullies with no consideration for the people of the area or the Gaels of Ulster trying to get in our out to games in Anderstown. ORIELMAN85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 340 - 16/09/2024 11:46:54 2570102 Link
Replying To ORIELMAN85: "When will Antrim hurlers or footballers ever need anything more than 15 to 20,000 seats. They whole effort was shambolic driven on by bullies with no consideration for the people of the area or the Gaels of Ulster trying to get in our out to games in Anderstown." If the Gaa really wanted a 35,000 capacity stadium, the reality is they already have one in Clones. People will say that Clones isn't up to standard. But that is because the Ulster Council, since Casement was discussed, have starved it of investment. Clones has so much scope for improvement, the Gerry Arthur Stand could be flattened, and a proper stand built in its place. They have the room to build back towards the car park. There is ample space to build a new stand of the proportions of McHale Park, Castlebar. The remainder of the ground is also in similar condition to McHale Park, and with a relatively small investment in toilets and other ancillary services required for health and safety. But the reality is that the Ulster and Central Councils real wish was to have a new concert venue in Belfast. Now it's time for the Monaghan County Board to grow a pair, and lobby their politicians to get the investment. If Pairc Ui Chaoimh cost €110 million from scratch, I'd estimate that 25 - 30 million would leave Clones with really good facilities. With an election looming, now is the time. SouthOfTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 683 - 16/09/2024 12:45:08 2570125 Link
It is a very sad situation that the Gaels of Antrim have not had a county ground for 13 years. There is lots of pointing of fingers and speculation about the reasons and it is probably a mixture of factors. It is a fact that the British Govt reneged on a commitment to fund the build. The 'alleged' cost increase has been grossly over exaggerated to justify the decision which was announced at 7.00 pm on Friday, along with the denial of a public enquiry into Sean Brown's murder, which was recommended by the Coroner who said he was unable to finish the Inquest and reach a determination because the Security Services are slapping Public Interest Immunity Certificates and redactions on information provision, and withholding crucial documents and evidence . Their intentions are not honourable. Nationalists in the North are being played and the celebrations from a majority of Unionists about these 2 decisions and their opposition to the Pat Finucane announcement are very disappointing but enlightening. A multi purpose stadium would benefit the city and wider community. All these years since the GFA and nothing appears to have changed. Casement Park will be built, hopefully with the Irish Govt stepping up, the Brown family will continue their dignified campaign for truth and justice and if full documentation and records are made available to the Finucane Enquiry, which I am sceptical about, I am confident the truth will further taint the British Govt and expose their dirty tricks in Ireland. The feeling grows amongst our population that the entity we live in does not work for us. Glensboy (Antrim) - Posts: 303 - 16/09/2024 13:10:50 2570132 Link
Replying To ORIELMAN85: "When will Antrim hurlers or footballers ever need anything more than 15 to 20,000 seats. They whole effort was shambolic driven on by bullies with no consideration for the people of the area or the Gaels of Ulster trying to get in our out to games in Anderstown." Andytown is well used to dealing with concerts at Boucher Rd. It also dealt with Casement filled out for Ulster championship many times back in the days and they never caused any major hassle. Just like Dublin when Croker is used. The venue also backs onto two motorways, a railway station a short distance away, a city bus service, taxi services, a range of food and drink facilities and two shopping complexes with extended car parking for supporters. Remind me again, what has Clones got to facilitate the thousands travelling for an Ulster final? Or what do they do to protect the locals on match day? when there is literally no road in or out of the entire town as the single lanes are all on lockdown for hours. This is what I was talking about before, just blissful ignorance for the sake of it. Clones literally hasn't one advantage as a venue over Casement beyond some sentimental attachment to past memories. SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2487 - 16/09/2024 13:28:55 2570139 Link