West Belfast public key in Casement Park build

Ulster Council chiefs have insisted the redevelopment of Casement Park will be within budget and will enhance the local community.

State of the art plans for the new 40,000 all-seater stadium were unveiled to the public for the first time at a launch in the City Hall in Belfast last night.

Despite speculation that the redevelopment of the West Belfast venue was already running over budget, Ulster Council president Aogan Farrell confirmed that Casement will be built within the £76m (€88m) monies already allocated through government funding of £62m (€71.8m) and the GAA Central Council’s £14m (€16.2m).

“The funding is in place, the design is in place and next it’s over to the architects and the builders to deliver this stadium,” declared Farrell.

“The target was that we will play in Casement Park in 2016 and that remains the case.”

Planning permission will now be sought for the redevelopment.

The Ulster Council are anxious that the redesign meets the satisfaction of local residents.

Farrell explained: “As well as being a functional stadium, we want it to be pleasing on the eye and enhance the local environment. We’re aware that it is a built-up community and we have put a lot of thought into the design.

“Despite what has been said, it can be all-seater and it can be built within the existing site. That is of priority to the people of West Belfast.

“This is a significant milestone because people can actually see the plans and visualise what the stadium will look like.”

Meanwhile, Loughgiel hurler Eddie McCloskey has defended the club’s poor representation in the Antrim squad this year.

McCloskey, 24, his younger brother Tony and Shay Casey are the only players from the defending All-Ireland club champions to commit to Kevin Ryan’s Saffrons squad. Speaking ahead of their All-Ireland club semi-final against St Thomas’ on Saturday, McCloskey admitted: “Others were asked and couldn’t commit.

“If you’re doing it all year round, it’s tough. But if players are half-hearted, you don’t want them there.

“It’s not a big representation [from Loughgiel] but I’d rather people didn’t commit than come in and go through the motions and have a negative impact on the team.”