Hopes fade for Euros in Casement Park
June 12, 2024
A view of Casement Park as preparation works begin on its redevelopment. ©INPHO/Presseye/Jonathan Porter.
GAA president Jarlath Burns is pessimistic about the chances of Euro 2028 Championship games being played in Casement Park.
Despite being part of a successful Irish and UK joint-bid to host the Euros in four years' time, the Belfast venue remains in a state of ruin with the British Government still to commit funding to the proposed redevelopment.
“It’s not looking as if we’re going to get the Euros,” Burns admitted to reporters at yesterday's All-Ireland SHC launch in Co. Clare.
“Having attended the final of the Europa League in the Aviva, I can see what UEFA brings to a stadium and to an event. West Belfast deserves that and we’re not getting it. It’s just a great pity because the carrot was dangled in front of us and then it was taken away.
“And actually the big loser here is going to be the game of soccer in Northern Ireland society and the economy. The Department for the Economy was waiting to weigh in with all sorts of other things that were going to come from there.
"It’s just a pity. But we’re still very hopeful and expectant that we’re going to get the funds to make a provincial stadium where we can play our Ulster finals.”
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