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Replying To points50swiththeargyllsonthewrongfeet: "Half of Belfast is British, and have no, or very little, interest in Gaelic games. The other half is Irish, but, of that half, lots of them are S Belfast wine-drinking golfists, with no interest in Gaelic games, and lots more of that half are W Belfast spideys who are mainly into English soccer and boxing (or, as they say in Belfast, "baxin"). So while there is of course a lot of people in the Belfast area, overall, it's not exactly GAA territory. And that's why Antrim men's senior football team underperforms massively - consistently, easily the worst and most beatable team in Ulster. And while the Antrim men's hurling team is good, it's backboned by rural N. Antrim Glensmen, who hail from closer to Scotland than to Belfast.
I hate all these big stadiums anyway. Croke Park, unless it's full to capacity, has no atmosphere. You're too far away from the pitch, with way too much space between seats and pitch. I suppose though that that is mandated by crowd safety considerations nowadays. Older, cheaper grounds (including soccer grounds in Scotland and England), while often not much to write home about, tend to have a brilliant atmosphere, what with e.g., the old low roofs and the seats practically on top of the pitch, and the noise bouncing back down off the tin. Few thousand people in a small old, cramped stadium would generate a bit of atmosphere; whereas 40,000 in Croke Park seems dead.
Also, I cannot believe the prices that are being talked about. I know a bit about current construction projects, and 200, 300, 400 million? Seriously? For a pitch, some seating, and some stands? Get some Spanish / Polish contractors in and they'd do it for half the price and do a much better job too. Irish and British constructors and project managers, who are all either clipboard men, should not be getting near a construction project like it.
Also, the geographical centre of 9-county Ulster is between Carrickmore and Pomeroy, in Tyrone. So the Dungannon / Ballygawley roundabout location makes sense." "half of Belfast is British" and what? The Brits don't make up half of Tyrone or any other of the 6 counties? What a pile of waffle that was. You'd have to give lessons on how to hold a hurl in most parts of Tyrone, never mind play the game. Antrim have been cleaning up in Ulster for so long they had to send their hurlers to Leinster since most of Ulster can't compete. Which makes Antrim the most successful Ulster county, whether your fake GAA concern wants to acknowledge that or not. Not a word on south Belfast and the GAA clubs there, with ever increasing numbers in Breda and Carryduff who are now starting to challenge the big guns in Down and making up their county teams too. So realistically Belfast represents two counties, who try to play both codes unlike most other Ulster counties. West Belfast has more GAA clubs in one area than anywhere else in the country, let alone Ulster. So your description of the place is typically ignorant village idiot folklore that they probably tell you on the way to matches in the big bad city. At least try to be realistic if you're going to have a pop.
SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2501 - 28/09/2024 10:16:00
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Replying To Square_B: "An alternative site might be best but there's no way it should be built anywhere else but Belfast. Belfast badly needs a multipurpose stadium to cater for all sports and events. Nearly a third of the NI population live within the Belfast metropolitan area and that's where it should be. An upgrade of Clones should happen also." You say that nearly a third of the "ni" population live within the Belfast area, just to remind you this stadium is for the benefit off Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal as well.
tireoghainabu (Tyrone) - Posts: 338 - 28/09/2024 11:30:29
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Replying To points50swiththeargyllsonthewrongfeet: "Half of Belfast is British, and have no, or very little, interest in Gaelic games. The other half is Irish, but, of that half, lots of them are S Belfast wine-drinking golfists, with no interest in Gaelic games, and lots more of that half are W Belfast spideys who are mainly into English soccer and boxing (or, as they say in Belfast, "baxin"). So while there is of course a lot of people in the Belfast area, overall, it's not exactly GAA territory. And that's why Antrim men's senior football team underperforms massively - consistently, easily the worst and most beatable team in Ulster. And while the Antrim men's hurling team is good, it's backboned by rural N. Antrim Glensmen, who hail from closer to Scotland than to Belfast.
I hate all these big stadiums anyway. Croke Park, unless it's full to capacity, has no atmosphere. You're too far away from the pitch, with way too much space between seats and pitch. I suppose though that that is mandated by crowd safety considerations nowadays. Older, cheaper grounds (including soccer grounds in Scotland and England), while often not much to write home about, tend to have a brilliant atmosphere, what with e.g., the old low roofs and the seats practically on top of the pitch, and the noise bouncing back down off the tin. Few thousand people in a small old, cramped stadium would generate a bit of atmosphere; whereas 40,000 in Croke Park seems dead.
Also, I cannot believe the prices that are being talked about. I know a bit about current construction projects, and 200, 300, 400 million? Seriously? For a pitch, some seating, and some stands? Get some Spanish / Polish contractors in and they'd do it for half the price and do a much better job too. Irish and British constructors and project managers, who are all either clipboard men, should not be getting near a construction project like it.
Also, the geographical centre of 9-county Ulster is between Carrickmore and Pomeroy, in Tyrone. So the Dungannon / Ballygawley roundabout location makes sense." Great post, building Casement was for the GAA a mini Croke Park in Belfast where they could rent out for big money spinner concerts, and to the tan ball crowd etc etc.
It was never the right location for big games like the Ulster final, It was something SF could point to as a big win over the the unionists, look what we have got by being good little republicans and following the British rule book in Stormont.
If we are going to have a new stadium to suit us all in Ulster it should be in mid Ulster as you suggest or else spend some money on Clones, it is a brilliant venue, the atmosphere in Clones town and at the ground on Ulster final day is fantastic.
Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3029 - 28/09/2024 12:31:54
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Replying To Tirchonaill1: "Great post, building Casement was for the GAA a mini Croke Park in Belfast where they could rent out for big money spinner concerts, and to the tan ball crowd etc etc.
It was never the right location for big games like the Ulster final, It was something SF could point to as a big win over the the unionists, look what we have got by being good little republicans and following the British rule book in Stormont.
If we are going to have a new stadium to suit us all in Ulster it should be in mid Ulster as you suggest or else spend some money on Clones, it is a brilliant venue, the atmosphere in Clones town and at the ground on Ulster final day is fantastic." I'd say you'd have all the answers to the north's problems right enough.
SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2501 - 28/09/2024 13:37:12
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Replying To SaffronDon: "I'd say you'd have all the answers to the north's problems right enough." I'd say casement park is the least of the north's problems.
Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 2085 - 28/09/2024 13:45:22
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Replying To Bon: "I'd say casement park is the least of the north's problems." And as ever, a sporting issue was turned into a political one.
SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2501 - 28/09/2024 13:51:56
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Replying To SaffronDon: "And as ever, a sporting issue was turned into a political one." It was a 'political football' all along.
Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3029 - 28/09/2024 13:58:17
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Replying To Tirchonaill1: "It was a 'political football' all along." It was a practical solution for the future of Ulster GAA. Then it was hijacked and used as political point scoring and people like yourself were more interested in being 'right' that you were happy enough to believe the unionist lies about Casement while you ridicule political parties for "doing what the Brits tell them" at the same time. The irony.
SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2501 - 28/09/2024 14:19:03
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Replying To SaffronDon: "It was a practical solution for the future of Ulster GAA. Then it was hijacked and used as political point scoring and people like yourself were more interested in being 'right' that you were happy enough to believe the unionist lies about Casement while you ridicule political parties for "doing what the Brits tell them" at the same time. The irony." It was never a "practical" solution for the future of Ulster GAA. Dreamers like yourself in Antrim need to get their act together and look after Gaels there, by providing a centre for Antrim hurling and football and stop waffling on about Ulster GAA. Ulster has a perfectly good centre in Clones, that with the injection of a fraction of the money needed for Casement can become a 40,000 capacity stadium. Not a venue for concerts, rugby or soccer but a venue for GAA games.
ORIELMAN85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 386 - 29/09/2024 18:52:23
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Replying To ORIELMAN85: "It was never a "practical" solution for the future of Ulster GAA. Dreamers like yourself in Antrim need to get their act together and look after Gaels there, by providing a centre for Antrim hurling and football and stop waffling on about Ulster GAA. Ulster has a perfectly good centre in Clones, that with the injection of a fraction of the money needed for Casement can become a 40,000 capacity stadium. Not a venue for concerts, rugby or soccer but a venue for GAA games." You couldn't hold a sheep fair in Clones let alone a concert or soccer match. But you keep telling yourself that all roads lead to Clones for big events if it keeps you happy bro. I'm done talking to the wall on this topic.
SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2501 - 29/09/2024 21:59:03
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Replying To SaffronDon: "You couldn't hold a sheep fair in Clones let alone a concert or soccer match. But you keep telling yourself that all roads lead to Clones for big events if it keeps you happy bro. I'm done talking to the wall on this topic." Maybe Monaghan County Board doesn't regard hosting foreign games and concerts as their primary responsibility? Just a thought....
BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3118 - 29/09/2024 23:43:59
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Replying To SaffronDon: "You couldn't hold a sheep fair in Clones let alone a concert or soccer match. But you keep telling yourself that all roads lead to Clones for big events if it keeps you happy bro. I'm done talking to the wall on this topic." Well your great Antrim GAA have definitely turned Casement into a place only fit for sheep. Get real, the Euros are not coming, the concerts are not coming, most Andersontown residents are happy and Clones is and shall remain the centre of Ulster GAA. On top of that it is the spiritual heart of Ulster Finals.
ORIELMAN85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 386 - 30/09/2024 00:35:49
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Replying To BarneyGrant: "Maybe Monaghan County Board doesn't regard hosting foreign games and concerts as their primary responsibility? Just a thought...." One Euros competition, the odd concert and then a life time of Ulster finals and GAA matches. Maths obviously isn't your strong point nor is welcoming anyone outside your little narrow minded flock. Just a thought.
SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2501 - 30/09/2024 08:57:12
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Replying To ORIELMAN85: "Well your great Antrim GAA have definitely turned Casement into a place only fit for sheep. Get real, the Euros are not coming, the concerts are not coming, most Andersontown residents are happy and Clones is and shall remain the centre of Ulster GAA. On top of that it is the spiritual heart of Ulster Finals." Do you just like repeating yourself? I've answered all that mindless waffle many times. I'm not going to continue this moronic ritual with you. You've made your stance I've made mine. What more are you looking to gain from this?
SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2501 - 30/09/2024 08:59:25
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Replying To SaffronDon: "One Euros competition, the odd concert and then a life time of Ulster finals and GAA matches. Maths obviously isn't your strong point nor is welcoming anyone outside your little narrow minded flock. Just a thought." It was obviously bad strategy to pitch the project on the basis of the soccer competition. More focus on the needs of Antrim and use of Casement for Ulster games might have been better, Obviously became a political football too and that backfired as most of that party's plans invariably do.
I liked the old Casement and was there many times since 70s for Dublin hurling matches but always preferred Ballycastle which was better for the crowd size and in the heart of hurling country.
Corrigan is nice spot too but only been there once a few years ago. Seems perfect for league although a redeveloped Casement would take bigger crowd for championship.
BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3118 - 30/09/2024 09:55:50
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Replying To BarneyGrant: "It was obviously bad strategy to pitch the project on the basis of the soccer competition. More focus on the needs of Antrim and use of Casement for Ulster games might have been better, Obviously became a political football too and that backfired as most of that party's plans invariably do.
I liked the old Casement and was there many times since 70s for Dublin hurling matches but always preferred Ballycastle which was better for the crowd size and in the heart of hurling country.
Corrigan is nice spot too but only been there once a few years ago. Seems perfect for league although a redeveloped Casement would take bigger crowd for championship." Wasn't the original proposal for a state of the art GAA Stadium with some concerts for added revenue?
The Euro soccer thing only came into play relatively recently which the GAA ran with as a way of getting a load of £€s.
Seanfanbocht (Roscommon) - Posts: 1952 - 30/09/2024 10:12:58
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Replying To Tirchonaill1: "Great post, building Casement was for the GAA a mini Croke Park in Belfast where they could rent out for big money spinner concerts, and to the tan ball crowd etc etc.
It was never the right location for big games like the Ulster final, It was something SF could point to as a big win over the the unionists, look what we have got by being good little republicans and following the British rule book in Stormont.
If we are going to have a new stadium to suit us all in Ulster it should be in mid Ulster as you suggest or else spend some money on Clones, it is a brilliant venue, the atmosphere in Clones town and at the ground on Ulster final day is fantastic." Tan ball crowd is uncalled for unnecessary and wumming.
Ulster needs a modern stadium. It was only logical to have that in Belfast.
And any modern stadium needs meetings conferences and events like concerts to pay the bills. Matches alone won't do it.
Clones is like thurles and that's fine but if you want to look at the gaa as something a bit more modern and forward thinking you can't simply have a ***** basic level stadium.
KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3674 - 30/09/2024 10:52:43
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Replying To ORIELMAN85: "Well your great Antrim GAA have definitely turned Casement into a place only fit for sheep. Get real, the Euros are not coming, the concerts are not coming, most Andersontown residents are happy and Clones is and shall remain the centre of Ulster GAA. On top of that it is the spiritual heart of Ulster Finals." Andersonstown? Thought only the British army and the RUC called it that!
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13862 - 30/09/2024 12:45:12
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Replying To Bon: "I'd say casement park is the least of the north's problems." Agreed. They need to start spreading hurling around the place better!
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13862 - 30/09/2024 12:46:34
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Replying To BarneyGrant: "Maybe Monaghan County Board doesn't regard hosting foreign games and concerts as their primary responsibility? Just a thought...." I don't think Clones would be a suitable venue for concerts. Infrastructure, public transport and parking would all need to be improved.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13862 - 30/09/2024 12:47:50
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