GAA President Jarlath Burns welcomes £50m Casement Park boost

The announcement came in Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Spending Review, which was made today (Wednesday).

Redeveloping the stadium in West Belfast is expected to cost £260m. £120m of that is jointly in place from the Stormont Executive, the Irish government and the GAA. The £50m boost leaves a £90m shortfall.

In a statement following the announcement, the GAA stated that the UK Government’s support was a recognition of the long-standing commitments given to redevelop Casement Park and, despite the missed opportunity of the EURO 2028 Championships, the goodwill and resolve of the GAA in providing Casement Park as a host venue.

The GAA has said it will continue to engage and work constructively with the Northern Ireland Executive, the Department for Communities and all other partners to deliver upon the 14-year commitments to redevelop the flagship project.

Mr Burns, a Silverbridge clubman, said: “We welcome this important and significant investment and we thank the Secretary of State, Hilary Benn, the Chancellor of The Exchequer, Rachel Reeves and the UK Government for their positive and generous contribution to ensure that our provincial stadium at Casement Park is finally realised.

“From taking office, the Secretary of State has been clear that Casement Park needs to be delivered. He recognised the GAA’s commitment and goodwill in sharing venues for the benefit of everyone in our society, dating back to the Maze Long Kesh project, and more recently offering Casement Park as a EURO 2028 Championship venue.

"His support and that of the UK Government now represents a critical opportunity to finish this NI Executive flagship project, delivering the last remaining stadium of the 14-year Regional Stadia Programme, and helping to leave a lasting legacy not only for the Gaels of Antrim and Ulster, but for all of society.

"We know, however, that this is not the final piece of jigsaw and there is much more work to do. The GAA will engage directly, with the NI Executive and the Department for Communities to ensure that all parties actively pursue, and secure, a full funding package that will deliver upon the GAA’s strategic stadium need.”