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ANTRIM NOT BACKING DOWN

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Post above should obviously say Ravenhill got £15 million.

Otherwise it really would be a case of at least one figure being inaccurate!!

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2800 - 12/03/2025 17:11:19    2596119

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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?"
You might want do delve a bit deeper into the whole Casement project before you do the mathematics. The new Casement was planned to be the new home of Ulster finals, not just the home of Antrim GAA.

As for Casement being used twice a year, the old Casement was used all year round between McKenna Cup, League, Ulster championship matches (not just involving Antrim), AI club matches, county finals, Ulster club, schools matches etc. Now factor in that it would have provincial final capacity add Ulster finals and AI championship latter stage matches to that list and whatever else outside of GAA activity and it's quite a used facility by stadium standards.

Finally, the wonderful DUP. Casement started out as a £75m project. GAA would pay £15/20m of that. Since then, the DUP have launched a full scale witch hunt on the project. Overseeing the rebuilding of Windsor Park and Ravenhill, two similarly built up areas to Casement and not a word of health and safety concerns, as they were built in no time. Then to pretend they care about the welfare of the residents of Andersonstown road for the first time in their lives. They refused to advance the project and took the cost from 75 mil to whatever 100 mil it's been bumped up to by now, they add an extra 50 mil every time they're asked about it. So yes, the DUP have a huge role to play in all of this. Antrim have been caught in the political crossfire. Following orders to close Casement by the Ulster council, being promised a new stadium and a new era for Ulster GAA and then hold up after hold up, the old Casement being stripped of material by local criminals, the the ground no longer safe to host matches, then to using a limited GAA club ground as makeshift county ground. Some on here firing all the blame at Antrim GAA would really want to take the head out of their proverbial and see the big picture.

SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2557 - 12/03/2025 17:30:25    2596125

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Someone from Wexford called "Pikeman" defending Unionism and the British. The men of 98 would be turning in their graves if they had any.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9816 - 12/03/2025 19:56:30    2596142

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Replying To Seanfanbocht:  "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."
You have completely misrepresented what I said.
I was genuinely giving a reference point for people, who appear to be unaware, even uninterested, in the political environment many Ulster Gaels, but particularly in Antrim, have been operating in.

Turning to Casement Park. Antrim Gaels had little say in its operation. Ulster Council rule. Yes there were difficulties through planning for a new stadium, but not insurmountable, given some goodwill from controlling political bodies and compromise with local residents. Covid did not help either. The British and Irish Govt's did not rule out extra cash. It is clear the DUP have ideological difficulties with GAA per say. Hopefully I don't need to point out the many difficulties Gaels experienced over the years as a result.

Antrim Gaels have been without a home ground now for 12 years. Corrigan Park has been our adopted home and both codes have warmed to it and had some successes.
We will be delighted to welcome the All Ireland champions Armagh to Corrigan for our home fixture. Many commentators on this blog have attended matches in Corrigan. Deny us this opportunity and a precedent is set where by 'lesser' counties can be coerced or even bullied into giving up a home fixture.

And yes, Lost Gaels does itemise the murders of Gaels. It also tells a story and very respectfully remembers victims' existence and contribution to our communities and culture. It is worth a read.

Glensboy (Antrim) - Posts: 319 - 12/03/2025 20:49:31    2596147

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Replying To Wally:  "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."
Appropriately named. This is more than just about Angrim or Belfast. Casement is THE litmus test for powersharing and you know it.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9816 - 12/03/2025 21:52:25    2596158

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As an Armagh supporter the game being fixed for corrigan means i wont be there but am fine with that.Dublin and other cities have numerous opportunity's to see the all ireland champions throughout the years .When did Antrim last have this chance? When will they get it again? Sometimes principle and bringing games around the country are more important than money.Doesnt matter what the result is antrim shouid not be disadvantaged and whilst other teams have gone to neutral venues the difference is that they agreed to that. Antrim dont and they are perfectly correct.On local discussion the Armagh supporters support their stand.

isfeidirrlinn (Armagh) - Posts: 9 - 12/03/2025 22:11:59    2596162

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Replying To Ulsterman:  "Someone from Wexford called "Pikeman" defending Unionism and the British. The men of 98 would be turning in their graves if they had any."
Factually and accurately pointing out the current composition of the Westminster Parliament is hardly "defending Unionism and the British".

If anything, pointing out that the DUP has only five members out of 650 is running them down. They're an almost complete irrelevance there. A non-entity. Nobodies.

If the men of '98 would be turning in their graves, it would be through chuckling with glee that the main voice of Loyalism to London is barely even a whisper there.

And if you or others think the DUP really are the problem in blocking £150 million in funding from Westminster, then you're giving them far more credit than they deserve, and you're actually the one who's bigging up Ulster Unionism.

They have a far more powerful 25 seats out of 90 in Stormont, so they'd be far better placed to block any funding from there, yet Stormont has still committed £62 million to the project. That's more than they did for Windsor Park, Ravenhill, the Ice Bowl, that swimming pool, and far more than they might be asked to do for a soccer training facility where the total cost isn't expected to be any more than £10 million in the first place.

Go figure.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2800 - 12/03/2025 22:36:37    2596164

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Replying To Ulsterman:  "Someone from Wexford called "Pikeman" defending Unionism and the British. The men of 98 would be turning in their graves if they had any."
You mean you don't like being told the truth, isn't that it?

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1238 - 13/03/2025 05:58:20    2596173

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Replying To Ulsterman:  "Someone from Wexford called "Pikeman" defending Unionism and the British. The men of 98 would be turning in their graves if they had any."
Are you going to actually address the point being made? Then again that wouldn't suit your always the victim card now would it

oneoff (UK) - Posts: 1550 - 13/03/2025 08:05:30    2596178

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "Factually and accurately pointing out the current composition of the Westminster Parliament is hardly "defending Unionism and the British".

If anything, pointing out that the DUP has only five members out of 650 is running them down. They're an almost complete irrelevance there. A non-entity. Nobodies.

If the men of '98 would be turning in their graves, it would be through chuckling with glee that the main voice of Loyalism to London is barely even a whisper there.

And if you or others think the DUP really are the problem in blocking £150 million in funding from Westminster, then you're giving them far more credit than they deserve, and you're actually the one who's bigging up Ulster Unionism.

They have a far more powerful 25 seats out of 90 in Stormont, so they'd be far better placed to block any funding from there, yet Stormont has still committed £62 million to the project. That's more than they did for Windsor Park, Ravenhill, the Ice Bowl, that swimming pool, and far more than they might be asked to do for a soccer training facility where the total cost isn't expected to be any more than £10 million in the first place.

Go figure."
There's one thing saying they will commit £62m to the project and another thing to actually do it. If you have been following this since it's beginning and not just reading off the latest opinions, the DUP have never once spoke of their intentions to complete the project and judging by their actions, have done nothing but hold it up. This is long before it was even a Westminster issue. Britain got involved as enough time had passed that the project coincided with a soccer tournament that might have used the facility. But the dirty deeds had been a decade long at this stage. For what it's worth, I think everyone would've went for an alternative solution to this project if they knew it was going to take the path it did.

SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2557 - 13/03/2025 10:28:44    2596210

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Replying To SaffronDon:  "There's one thing saying they will commit £62m to the project and another thing to actually do it. If you have been following this since it's beginning and not just reading off the latest opinions, the DUP have never once spoke of their intentions to complete the project and judging by their actions, have done nothing but hold it up. This is long before it was even a Westminster issue. Britain got involved as enough time had passed that the project coincided with a soccer tournament that might have used the facility. But the dirty deeds had been a decade long at this stage. For what it's worth, I think everyone would've went for an alternative solution to this project if they knew it was going to take the path it did."
In relation to your last line - I humbly suggest it's still an option to explore an alternative solution.

Put Stormont (and the DUP) to the test re. that £62 million, take the money on offer from Croke Park, and add in own resources, and you've still got in the region of £120 million. Chances are you'd build a very tidy, attractive, and suitable county ground of maybe 15,000 to 18,000 capacity, particularly if you rolled back on some of the things other than the pitch itself and the stands/terracing.

18,000 would be more than enough for what Antrim typically need, and would be in line with both WIndsor Park and Ravenhill.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2800 - 13/03/2025 11:29:47    2596218

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "In relation to your last line - I humbly suggest it's still an option to explore an alternative solution.

Put Stormont (and the DUP) to the test re. that £62 million, take the money on offer from Croke Park, and add in own resources, and you've still got in the region of £120 million. Chances are you'd build a very tidy, attractive, and suitable county ground of maybe 15,000 to 18,000 capacity, particularly if you rolled back on some of the things other than the pitch itself and the stands/terracing.

18,000 would be more than enough for what Antrim typically need, and would be in line with both WIndsor Park and Ravenhill."
I'm not against a new plan. But no matter what compromise you put in front of the DUP, if involves anything Irish or GAA related, they will drag their feet and make excuses for long enough to see it flushed down the carsy.

The other issue is, does the GAA back down from building a new provincial stadium for Ulster for a more moderate stadium for Antrim as a county? That means Clones will likely need serious investment too. They were trying to kill two birds with the one stone initially before things spiralled out of control. Given that the GAA is the most watched sport on the Island and would dwarf the audiences at Irish league soccer or even local rugby matches there is a bigger picture than just Antrim GAA, even if they would obviously benefit a lot from it all.

SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2557 - 13/03/2025 12:16:18    2596224

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Replying To SaffronDon:  "There's one thing saying they will commit £62m to the project and another thing to actually do it. If you have been following this since it's beginning and not just reading off the latest opinions, the DUP have never once spoke of their intentions to complete the project and judging by their actions, have done nothing but hold it up. This is long before it was even a Westminster issue. Britain got involved as enough time had passed that the project coincided with a soccer tournament that might have used the facility. But the dirty deeds had been a decade long at this stage. For what it's worth, I think everyone would've went for an alternative solution to this project if they knew it was going to take the path it did."
The project is being held up because Westminster will not foot the remaining cost of over £150mil. And let's be honest about it as well, Stormont funding is effectively Westminster funding as well. It's time everyone wised up to this. Over 45% of the 'new cost' has been committed with a sizable contribution from the Irish Government (which they had no obligation to make a contribution to BTW). It would be in everyone's interests to get on with the project with the funding available, surely a 20 - 25k capacity stadium could be built for c£120mil with seating / corporate facilities in a main stand and terraces (perhaps higher if the GAA increase their contribution & Westminster match the Irish Government funding).

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1238 - 13/03/2025 13:29:39    2596240

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Replying To SaffronDon:  "I'm not against a new plan. But no matter what compromise you put in front of the DUP, if involves anything Irish or GAA related, they will drag their feet and make excuses for long enough to see it flushed down the carsy.

The other issue is, does the GAA back down from building a new provincial stadium for Ulster for a more moderate stadium for Antrim as a county? That means Clones will likely need serious investment too. They were trying to kill two birds with the one stone initially before things spiralled out of control. Given that the GAA is the most watched sport on the Island and would dwarf the audiences at Irish league soccer or even local rugby matches there is a bigger picture than just Antrim GAA, even if they would obviously benefit a lot from it all."
Has any work started on Casement?
Are there any plans to start work any time soon?

Not to mention asking why in the name of God they closed Casement down before planning was obtained and a contractor appointed?

Seanfanbocht (Roscommon) - Posts: 2183 - 13/03/2025 13:36:40    2596242

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Relations are pretty good between Ulster rugby and the GAA .
Ravenhill hosted a Gaelic football match about a decade ago as a fundraiser for MND , an event spearheaded by the late Anto Finnegan. Gaelic was apparently played on that site up to 1920s
Ulster payed Glasgow in Kingspan, Breffni Stadium two years ago , attracting over 7,000 to a pre season friendly.
Would Ravenhill if available be a short term compromise for this year as it would keep the match in Belfast and accommodate over 18,000 attendance. As someone said it might favour the 'anywhere but Newry' folk but not the 'Corrigan or nowhere' campaign.
Long term Ulster needs our support to develop an Inter county venue without further delay. The proposed Casement Stadium was to host soccer internationals and some rugby test matches.

Curlew66 (Roscommon) - Posts: 602 - 13/03/2025 13:53:14    2596246

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Replying To Curlew66:  "Relations are pretty good between Ulster rugby and the GAA .
Ravenhill hosted a Gaelic football match about a decade ago as a fundraiser for MND , an event spearheaded by the late Anto Finnegan. Gaelic was apparently played on that site up to 1920s
Ulster payed Glasgow in Kingspan, Breffni Stadium two years ago , attracting over 7,000 to a pre season friendly.
Would Ravenhill if available be a short term compromise for this year as it would keep the match in Belfast and accommodate over 18,000 attendance. As someone said it might favour the 'anywhere but Newry' folk but not the 'Corrigan or nowhere' campaign.
Long term Ulster needs our support to develop an Inter county venue without further delay. The proposed Casement Stadium was to host soccer internationals and some rugby test matches."
Problem with Ravenhill (or any other rugby ground) is simply the size of the pitch.

A rugby pitch is maximum 100m x 70m.

A GAA pitch is minimum 130m (if the 65m line doubles up as halfway) x 80m.

That 100m length of the rugby pitch doesn't include the 'in goal' try-scoring areas at each end, but even with those, you'd be hard pressed to get to the 135 or 140m length that a GAA pitch normally is. And as for getting the extra 10m width, you'd probably end up having to paint sidelines on the advertising hoardings.

I realise there was that football match played in Ravenhill ten years ago, but it's one thing to agree to play on a non-regulation pitch for a once-off charity match. Would be another thing altogether to try do it for a championship match.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2800 - 13/03/2025 15:09:28    2596263

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Best of luck to the Antrim Footballers on this, I hope they hold their ground.

Leinster Council treated us similarly disgracefully a few years ago when we were drawn at home to Dublin. Bringing the high flying Dubs into Aughrim would have been a major boost for games promotion for Wicklow, but alas no, we were sent to Portlaoise (a ground apparently that wasn't good enough to cater for the Dubs when Laois drew them at home a year beforehand and they had to go to Kilkenny, GAA logic at it's finest)

Armagh will likely play a bunch of matches this summer and many of them in Croke Park where anybody that wants to go see them can. Antrim footballers most likely won't play too many and what an opportunity to let the youngsters in Antrim see their team play the AI champions in their own county. Better than any token jester "games development funding' the GAA provide.

I played GAA for nearly 40 years in Wicklow and it started when my father brought me to Aughrim in 86 to see us beat the then league champions Laois in the 'battle of Aughrim' From that day , I was hooked.

Hawkeye2 (Wicklow) - Posts: 155 - 13/03/2025 15:13:19    2596264

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Replying To Curlew66:  "Relations are pretty good between Ulster rugby and the GAA .
Ravenhill hosted a Gaelic football match about a decade ago as a fundraiser for MND , an event spearheaded by the late Anto Finnegan. Gaelic was apparently played on that site up to 1920s
Ulster payed Glasgow in Kingspan, Breffni Stadium two years ago , attracting over 7,000 to a pre season friendly.
Would Ravenhill if available be a short term compromise for this year as it would keep the match in Belfast and accommodate over 18,000 attendance. As someone said it might favour the 'anywhere but Newry' folk but not the 'Corrigan or nowhere' campaign.
Long term Ulster needs our support to develop an Inter county venue without further delay. The proposed Casement Stadium was to host soccer internationals and some rugby test matches."
Would the pitch at Ravenhill be big enough?

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2702 - 13/03/2025 15:18:11    2596265

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "Problem with Ravenhill (or any other rugby ground) is simply the size of the pitch.

A rugby pitch is maximum 100m x 70m.

A GAA pitch is minimum 130m (if the 65m line doubles up as halfway) x 80m.

That 100m length of the rugby pitch doesn't include the 'in goal' try-scoring areas at each end, but even with those, you'd be hard pressed to get to the 135 or 140m length that a GAA pitch normally is. And as for getting the extra 10m width, you'd probably end up having to paint sidelines on the advertising hoardings.

I realise there was that football match played in Ravenhill ten years ago, but it's one thing to agree to play on a non-regulation pitch for a once-off charity match. Would be another thing altogether to try do it for a championship match."
Those dimensions rule out the faintest thought of Ravenhill.
So we are back to Corrigan or Newry for April 12th.
Problem for Belfast is pitch too small in Ravenhill and capacity deemed too small at Corrigan.
Not sure how it will work out.

Curlew66 (Roscommon) - Posts: 602 - 13/03/2025 15:42:24    2596270

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Replying To Cockney_Cat:  "Would the pitch at Ravenhill be big enough?"
Don't think so unfortunately, rules out Ravenhill

Curlew66 (Roscommon) - Posts: 602 - 13/03/2025 15:57:11    2596272

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