Why Casement Park stadium plan is now one big political football

There are concerns redevelopment costs could balloon to £300m, a price tag which the British government would likely baulk at.

A view of Casement Park as preparation works begin on its redevelopment. Pic: INPHO/Presseye/Jonathan Porter

More than a few eyebrows were raised earlier this month when GAA director general Tom Ryan claimed the close to €100 million cost of reconstructing SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh was “increasingly looking like it was value for money”.  

Try telling that to those saddled with paying back the €30m-plus stadium debt over the next 24 years and a board executive now facing cashflow problems as a result of it.