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ANTRIM NOT BACKING DOWN

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Replying To tirawleybaron:  "The GAA (not just the Ulster Council) always try to accommodate the biggest crowds possible.
This is not news -
It was the case in Mayo V Kildare in 2018, Louth in every championship match, Waterford in Hurling for a few years, All Leinster Counties v Dublin until recently, Cork going away to Kerry for a few years while pairc Ui Chaoimh was being done up.
Antrim can get all worked up about it (as Kildare did), but the reality is they are seeking something they are not entitled to. Why cant we get Dublin down up to Drogheda or down to Aughrim? Neither Louth nor Wicklow are entitled to demand it.

The shame for Antrim is that the decision took so long - it should have been an automatic decision the day they drew the Ulster champions.
The GAA have made a mistake by exploring the possibility and giving Antrim hope. Now that the hope is gone late in the day, the Antrim players have spit the dummy.

They match will eventually go ahead in Corrigan park, the Armagh Season ticket holders wont all be allowed in to watch. Half them wont mind anyway, because there is no fear that they will lose.

All this has done is brought a bit of attention to a game which would have been a footnote at the end of the Sunday game coverage.
Now Antrim have put themselves up in lights, the players will need to find something special to be taken seriously the next time they kick off. They will look very foolish if the play badly and get beat out the gate."
Don't be so patronising. You don't know what you're talking about. This is far more than just the Antrim v Armagh game. This is also about highlighting the Casement situation and the naked sectarian bigotry that is holding it up.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9816 - 11/03/2025 16:41:21    2595967

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Replying To Ulsterman:  "Don't be so patronising. You don't know what you're talking about. This is far more than just the Antrim v Armagh game. This is also about highlighting the Casement situation and the naked sectarian bigotry that is holding it up."
The favourite line from many in Ulster when someone says something they don't like "you don't know what you're talking about" well seeing as you're the expert why don't you explain it to us all?

oneoff (UK) - Posts: 1550 - 11/03/2025 17:04:03    2595970

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Replying To Ulsterman:  "Don't be so patronising. You don't know what you're talking about. This is far more than just the Antrim v Armagh game. This is also about highlighting the Casement situation and the naked sectarian bigotry that is holding it up."
The GAA has £62m waiting for them from Stormont.
Why hasn't work started on laying a new pitch and whatever the £62m can build?
The making of an Ulster SFC fixture is a matter for the Ulster Council of the GAA.

Seanfanbocht (Roscommon) - Posts: 2183 - 11/03/2025 17:54:05    2595979

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Replying To Ulsterman:  "Don't be so patronising. You don't know what you're talking about. This is far more than just the Antrim v Armagh game. This is also about highlighting the Casement situation and the naked sectarian bigotry that is holding it up."
If its about highlighting the casement situation, why don't the Antrim team just come out and say it.

I hate to break it to you, but there is rarely a great conspiracy in these matters. Normally, someone f#€ks up and someone else has to tell a bunch of lies to cover that mistake. Then it looks like a conspiracy but is actually a whole load of incompetence.

Please enlighten us as to how Antrim forcing the Ulster Council of the GAA to reverse a decision (one made in the best interests of the match going public of Armagh and Antrim) on a championship venue will end up getting the DUP to splash the cash so Belfast can have a big GAA stadium that only gets filled twice a year?

tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1288 - 11/03/2025 18:00:37    2595981

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Replying To oneoff:  "The favourite line from many in Ulster when someone says something they don't like "you don't know what you're talking about" well seeing as you're the expert why don't you explain it to us all?"
You seem to be the resident "Know It All" so I'm sure you'll be able to work it out for yourself.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9816 - 11/03/2025 19:13:10    2595988

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Replying To Ulsterman:  "Don't be so patronising. You don't know what you're talking about. This is far more than just the Antrim v Armagh game. This is also about highlighting the Casement situation and the naked sectarian bigotry that is holding it up."
What are you talking about.... we all know why it's being held up. Westminster won't pay for the funding shortfall. Nothing sectarian about that, just pure economics. They're being asked to stump up a shortfall of £150mil, over 55% of the 'expected' cost. Completely nuts for a stadium that might be full twice a year. If the Ulster Council had rowed in with plans to build a stadium near the airport in the city they'd probably have a stadium now and a second one at Casement. But alas no and here we are.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1238 - 11/03/2025 20:08:44    2595996

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Replying To tirawleybaron:  "If its about highlighting the casement situation, why don't the Antrim team just come out and say it.

I hate to break it to you, but there is rarely a great conspiracy in these matters. Normally, someone f#€ks up and someone else has to tell a bunch of lies to cover that mistake. Then it looks like a conspiracy but is actually a whole load of incompetence.

Please enlighten us as to how Antrim forcing the Ulster Council of the GAA to reverse a decision (one made in the best interests of the match going public of Armagh and Antrim) on a championship venue will end up getting the DUP to splash the cash so Belfast can have a big GAA stadium that only gets filled twice a year?"
Like many outside Ulster you just don't get it. Casement is a test of powersharing up here. Soccer got Windsor, rugby got Ravenhill, Dundonald Ice Bowl is to get a £60 million refit. Bangor has a 50 metre pool, the Northern Ireland soccer team is to get a multi million pound training complex outside Ballymena. Belfast needs a main centre/stadium for GAA as a test of the devolved institutions. That's how the Nationalist community see it. The DUP and their followers are boasting and loving every minute of the Casement delay solely for sectarian reasons.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9816 - 11/03/2025 20:09:02    2595997

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Replying To Ulsterman:  "You seem to be the resident "Know It All" so I'm sure you'll be able to work it out for yourself."
No that would be you actually. So tell us what we're missing? Or are you too busy supporting British teams again?

oneoff (UK) - Posts: 1550 - 11/03/2025 20:38:16    2596003

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Replying To Square_B:  "What are you talking about.... we all know why it's being held up. Westminster won't pay for the funding shortfall. Nothing sectarian about that, just pure economics. They're being asked to stump up a shortfall of £150mil, over 55% of the 'expected' cost. Completely nuts for a stadium that might be full twice a year. If the Ulster Council had rowed in with plans to build a stadium near the airport in the city they'd probably have a stadium now and a second one at Casement. But alas no and here we are."
You are still at you ill informed nonsense. Previously you were blaming Antrim for closing the ground - now you're claiming the stadium could have been built elsewhere. Do you know anything about public funding or how Stormont offered the funding for this project? In fact, do you know anything, full stop?

PeterQ92 (Donegal) - Posts: 145 - 11/03/2025 21:28:07    2596010

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Replying To brayballer:  "I am unaware of the rule about a venue having to be able to accommodate something like 80% of the expected attendance.Is this a new rule? Before the online tickets it would be hard to guess the expected attendance of an early round game especially with weather and unforeseen circumstances. I m not doubting you pikeman but never heard of that rule"
It was introduced after the 'Newbridge or nowhere' saga, and it's actually more of a Central Council policy than an actual rule in Treoir Oifigúil. Those policies don't always find their way online, but there's reference to it here in this RTE from story from last year about Kildare playing a home Tailteann Cup game at Hawkfield:

https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2024/0508/1447949-kildare-aim-to-bounce-back-in-front-of-just-1-200-fans/
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Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2800 - 11/03/2025 21:43:40    2596012

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Replying To tirawleybaron:  "The GAA (not just the Ulster Council) always try to accommodate the biggest crowds possible.
This is not news -
It was the case in Mayo V Kildare in 2018, Louth in every championship match, Waterford in Hurling for a few years, All Leinster Counties v Dublin until recently, Cork going away to Kerry for a few years while pairc Ui Chaoimh was being done up.
Antrim can get all worked up about it (as Kildare did), but the reality is they are seeking something they are not entitled to. Why cant we get Dublin down up to Drogheda or down to Aughrim? Neither Louth nor Wicklow are entitled to demand it.

The shame for Antrim is that the decision took so long - it should have been an automatic decision the day they drew the Ulster champions.
The GAA have made a mistake by exploring the possibility and giving Antrim hope. Now that the hope is gone late in the day, the Antrim players have spit the dummy.

They match will eventually go ahead in Corrigan park, the Armagh Season ticket holders wont all be allowed in to watch. Half them wont mind anyway, because there is no fear that they will lose.

All this has done is brought a bit of attention to a game which would have been a footnote at the end of the Sunday game coverage.
Now Antrim have put themselves up in lights, the players will need to find something special to be taken seriously the next time they kick off. They will look very foolish if the play badly and get beat out the gate."
I may have argued with you a few times lately on other threads, but I'm in 100% agreement with you on this one.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2800 - 11/03/2025 21:46:02    2596013

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To all of those commenting from afar. You are entitled to your opinion. As a minimum, educate on the facts.
I can highly recommend the book, 'Lost Gaels'.

Hopefully it will give you some context.

Glensboy (Antrim) - Posts: 319 - 12/03/2025 06:44:34    2596027

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Replying To Ulsterman:  "Like many outside Ulster you just don't get it. Casement is a test of powersharing up here. Soccer got Windsor, rugby got Ravenhill, Dundonald Ice Bowl is to get a £60 million refit. Bangor has a 50 metre pool, the Northern Ireland soccer team is to get a multi million pound training complex outside Ballymena. Belfast needs a main centre/stadium for GAA as a test of the devolved institutions. That's how the Nationalist community see it. The DUP and their followers are boasting and loving every minute of the Casement delay solely for sectarian reasons."
"solely for sectarian reasons" Another phrase you love to throw around. What do you have to actually back this up?

oneoff (UK) - Posts: 1550 - 12/03/2025 07:40:20    2596030

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Replying To PeterQ92:  "You are still at you ill informed nonsense. Previously you were blaming Antrim for closing the ground - now you're claiming the stadium could have been built elsewhere. Do you know anything about public funding or how Stormont offered the funding for this project? In fact, do you know anything, full stop?"
Go on so tell us what you know so, I'd be fairly confident it would be easily countered.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1238 - 12/03/2025 09:27:56    2596036

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Replying To oneoff:  ""solely for sectarian reasons" Another phrase you love to throw around. What do you have to actually back this up?"
You want to know what evidence Ulsterman has of the DUP demonstrating sectarianism towards the nationalist community or the GAA? That has to be one of the most idiotic questions I've heard on here in a while. A quick Google search will set you straight if you're not in the wind up.

SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2557 - 12/03/2025 10:44:08    2596046

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Replying To Glensboy:  "To all of those commenting from afar. You are entitled to your opinion. As a minimum, educate on the facts.
I can highly recommend the book, 'Lost Gaels'.

Hopefully it will give you some context."
Not sure what the murder of GAA members in the "troubles " in all the 6 Counties has to do with the Ulster Council deciding a ground isn't suitable for one of their fixtures???

As an aside after the Kildare v Mayo debacle the T.O. rule governing AI Championships added a phrase about venues being to the approval of the CCCC.

Seanfanbocht (Roscommon) - Posts: 2183 - 12/03/2025 10:48:22    2596047

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Replying To Ulsterman:  "Like many outside Ulster you just don't get it. Casement is a test of powersharing up here. Soccer got Windsor, rugby got Ravenhill, Dundonald Ice Bowl is to get a £60 million refit. Bangor has a 50 metre pool, the Northern Ireland soccer team is to get a multi million pound training complex outside Ballymena. Belfast needs a main centre/stadium for GAA as a test of the devolved institutions. That's how the Nationalist community see it. The DUP and their followers are boasting and loving every minute of the Casement delay solely for sectarian reasons."
The really unfortunate thing here is the fact that Antrim GAA can't provide a suitable venue is being conflated with all sorts of separate issues. The reference by another Antrim poster to the book "Lost Gaels" is an even more extreme example of this.

As the Baron from Mayo has also pointed out, other counties such as Louth (football) and Waterford (hurling) have regularly ceded home advantage in recent years, through not having a suitable stadium of their own either. They've done so with barely a peep about it.

Fact remains that Antrim GAA, through nobody's fault other than their own, neglected the upkeep and maintenance of Casement Park for so long that a full demolition and rebuild job was deemed necessary. And now to try make that happen, they're hanging out in desperate hope of a massive £150 million funding from a source that wouldn't even be available to 26 other counties.

Those other counties would have to make do with Irish Government funding, central GAA funding, and own resources. Those three things are still available to a Casement Park project, to the not-so-shabby tune of approx. £120 million.

Most if not all of those other counties would be delighted with that level of funding.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2800 - 12/03/2025 12:35:31    2596067

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Replying To Ulsterman:  "Like many outside Ulster you just don't get it. Casement is a test of powersharing up here. Soccer got Windsor, rugby got Ravenhill, Dundonald Ice Bowl is to get a £60 million refit. Bangor has a 50 metre pool, the Northern Ireland soccer team is to get a multi million pound training complex outside Ballymena. Belfast needs a main centre/stadium for GAA as a test of the devolved institutions. That's how the Nationalist community see it. The DUP and their followers are boasting and loving every minute of the Casement delay solely for sectarian reasons."
Ok, so you want a big white elephant of a stadium because everyone else got one.
The difference with all the others is that the facility was sized for its demand. Not oversized so it would only be filled twice a year and if someone was daft enough to hold a big tournament with Ireland in it.

If the refurb of casement was for 10-15k people (more than enough for GAA in Belfast at the moment), than it would have gone through years ago.
The DUP might be happy, but ye made it very easy for them to stop the funding when you are looking for funds for something where there is no business case that justifies it.

Its simple mathematics.
If you went to the bank in the morning and told them you wanted £1m to add 10 bedrooms to your house because you have a load of family home for christmas once a year, and by the way, I wont be able to pay it back ever. Do you think someone would give you the money or would it be the DUP's fault?

tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1288 - 12/03/2025 12:42:06    2596069

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Replying To tirawleybaron:  "Ok, so you want a big white elephant of a stadium because everyone else got one.
The difference with all the others is that the facility was sized for its demand. Not oversized so it would only be filled twice a year and if someone was daft enough to hold a big tournament with Ireland in it.

If the refurb of casement was for 10-15k people (more than enough for GAA in Belfast at the moment), than it would have gone through years ago.
The DUP might be happy, but ye made it very easy for them to stop the funding when you are looking for funds for something where there is no business case that justifies it.

Its simple mathematics.
If you went to the bank in the morning and told them you wanted £1m to add 10 bedrooms to your house because you have a load of family home for christmas once a year, and by the way, I wont be able to pay it back ever. Do you think someone would give you the money or would it be the DUP's fault?"
Spot on! Couldn't have explained it better myself.

This whole saga is a total nonsense.

It's excessively over sized, in the wrong location entirely, totally unnecessary and massively over budget.

Wally (Tyrone) - Posts: 925 - 12/03/2025 13:59:12    2596081

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Replying To Ulsterman:  "Like many outside Ulster you just don't get it. Casement is a test of powersharing up here. Soccer got Windsor, rugby got Ravenhill, Dundonald Ice Bowl is to get a £60 million refit. Bangor has a 50 metre pool, the Northern Ireland soccer team is to get a multi million pound training complex outside Ballymena. Belfast needs a main centre/stadium for GAA as a test of the devolved institutions. That's how the Nationalist community see it. The DUP and their followers are boasting and loving every minute of the Casement delay solely for sectarian reasons."
By the way, have done a little reading on those other projects. Forgive me if these figures are not 100% accurate as they're all based on old reports, but ballpark:

- Windsor Park got £31 million of public funding.
- Ravenhill got £15.
- Ice Bowl did comparatively well, getting some £62 million.
- Swimming pool cost £35 million.
- No indication yet of funding sources for the proposed soccer training facility, but estimated overall costs are only the region of £8 million to £10 million.

Yet Antrim/Ulster GAA are holding out for some £212 million in public funding (£62 million from Stormont plus £150 million from Westminster), and are crying victimhood when it's not forthcoming.

And fact is the DUP can hardly be blamed for lack of Westminster funding either. They have just five MPs in a Parliament of 650, where Labour hold a large overall majority and don't need the DUP's support for any decision they want to make. If they wanted to, they could approve £150 million for Casement in the morning, no matter how much the DUP moaned and cribbed about it.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2800 - 12/03/2025 15:30:06    2596096

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