GAA unlikely to increase £15m commitment to Casement Park rebuild

INCREASE UNLIKELY: Casement Park GAA stadium in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The GAA are not expected to increase their original £15 million contribution to the redevelopment of Casement Park despite the rising costs attached to the venture.

Along with the Aviva Stadium, the Belfast venue is one of the confirmed venues for the joint UK-Irish Euro 2028 bid, which as the only one now on the table is expected to be given the thumbs-up by UEFA next week.

Croke Park chiefs had confirmed the GAA would contribute approximately 20% of the original £77.5 million outlay, with local government providing the rest. However, the total cost has since jumped to almost twice that amount due to delays and legal challenges.

In February, GAA director general Tom Ryan said: “Inflationary movement since the original plan was conceived puts the estimated stadium development costs somewhere between £120m and £140m.

“We have reached full provision for our contracted commitment to the project of £15m. Our investment cannot exceed this amount. However, the final funding agreement with the British Government Department of Culture Arts and Leisure remains to be finalised.” 

GAA president-elect Jarlath Burns endorsed Ryan’s comments in March: “I would not be in favour of us giving one more penny to that,” he said, before adding, “If you look at the history of Casement Park, that began as a project that was going to be a stadium for all (at The Maze).

“GAA was the last man standing in that process. We were happy to remain right at the end and keep Casement as the Antrim county ground. Whenever the other sports pulled out, we were left and we were told that we would get a regional stadium.” 

However, unionists have expressed their opposition to the size of the GAA’s contribution. 

DUP MLA Stephen Dunne said: “The idea of Casement Park being given a blank cheque with additional public funds needs a reality check. We will oppose any plans to allocate additional resources to meet the GAA’s shortfall in the Casement Park project from NI Executive budgets at a time when hospitals and schools need additional and necessary resources.” 

In July, Traditional Unionist Voice deputy chairperson Ron McDowell claimed it will be “nothing short of scandalous” if the GAA doesn’t increase its contribution to the stadium. 

“It is totally unacceptable that, with the cost of Casement ballooning to £168m, the GAA should refuse to contribute any more to the cost of the project. The GAA are now expecting the public purse to cover over 90% of the cost of their stadium.”