A very good article explaining the current malaise in Belfast GAA and how the staging of the first test in the Compromise Rules could certainly have helped raise the profile of the GAA in Belfast, not too mention throwing a few quid in Belfast's direction similar to Dublin. Coming from Belfast, obviously im biased but I think Belfast needed it more than Limerick, opinions????

bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts: 1852 - 24/02/2009 11:52:46    216654

I would definitely agree. Belfast could have benefited greatly from holding the test and it may have shown the GAA in a positive light for non-GAA sport fans.

Keano (Mayo) - Posts: 412 - 24/02/2009 11:59:02    216661

I am disappointed too as last time round kelly strongly indicated that when it came back to Ireland that Belfast would get a match. That desire has obviously been overturned by the current administartion.

Bad show really.

Real Louth fan (Louth) - Posts: 3157 - 24/02/2009 12:02:21    216666

Yeah Belfast would've been a good choice as Casement doesn't get many high profile fixtures and has a decent capacity as well.

dubupnorth (Dublin) - Posts: 1897 - 24/02/2009 12:07:47    216673

Its all about the moolah - the GAA get tax breaks from the Irish govt but not in NI - hence the ulster football final is held in clones and not casement

stranmillis29 (Antrim) - Posts: 788 - 24/02/2009 12:15:04    216680

I thought they said it would definitely be in Ulster.

men_of_49 (Meath) - Posts: 2003 - 24/02/2009 12:39:15    216712

stranmillis29
County: Antrim
Posts: 10

216680 Its all about the moolah - the GAA get tax breaks from the Irish govt but not in NI - hence the ulster football final is held in clones and not casement


AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

That is not why, its because Casement is a hole, Clones is a good ground, a good town and a great atmosphere. Bigger capacity. Huge artical in lst weeks papers talking about how outdated Casement is as well. It is held in Clones because its a far better venue

samin10 (Armagh) - Posts: 2434 - 24/02/2009 12:43:08    216717

GAA, POLTICS, MONEY, thats what its all about. though they should put down now some future planning. that if there are to be tests in the future that they should be shared around the provinces of Ulster, Munster and Connaught. Obviously not leinster as at least one game is going to be held at headquarters. Though this can be disagreed with.
Casement is a great ground and is sadly way to under utilized for high profile games.

ArmaghGael27 (Armagh) - Posts: 77 - 24/02/2009 12:48:32    216723

24/02/2009 12:15:04
stranmillis29
County: Antrim
Posts: 10

216680 Its all about the moolah - the GAA get tax breaks from the Irish govt but not in NI - hence the ulster football final is held in clones and not casement


Interesting, have not heard that before. Thanks.

Real Louth fan (Louth) - Posts: 3157 - 24/02/2009 12:50:01    216726

Cork?

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20763 - 24/02/2009 13:08:19    216752

I had thought it was set for Ulster myself, it'll have to get it the next time though. Casement would have been the only feasible ground for it as the floodlights at Clones won't be done until next year, but I thought it would be in Ulster all the same.

Oh and as for the Ulster final debate, even if there was no difference with tax breaks etc, the final would be in Clones. That's just a handy excuse to veil the truth that Casement is an outdated venue in bad need of an upgrade if they to ever host another Ulster final. And that's saying something given that Clones is also in bad need of an upgrade. But it's also about the town, atmosphere, tradition etc.

mid-mon man (Monaghan) - Posts: 1680 - 24/02/2009 13:12:51    216755

Been to Casement park many a time never really liked it Ground a good size ,but Nothing to do before the game, no great pubs and if you go into some of the local ones up the falls you getting very scary looks, also the wee gits still try in steal your motor seen it with my own eyes after Tyrone v Antrim a couple years ago a women from castlederg with 4 young kids got her 4X4rav taken as they walked back to the car. Thats why most if not all of us prefer Clones for the big Games.

williewentwell (Tyrone) - Posts: 1712 - 24/02/2009 13:14:28    216757

Like bumpernut I'm biased but it does look like a missed opportunity - at the same time you only have to read samin10s well thought out post to see how much support the GAA in Belfast gets from the rest of Ulster.

pearsesabu (Antrim) - Posts: 663 - 24/02/2009 13:16:36    216761

Sorry i forgot to mention the article was in the irish news today, penned by Paddy Heaney!!

Samin,

Did u get a hiding for wearing an orange jersey in Belfast??

bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts: 1852 - 24/02/2009 13:24:10    216773

should have been in ulster.. casement or clones!

still lookin forward to the second test though.

budlight (Tyrone) - Posts: 540 - 24/02/2009 13:44:16    216828

I agree with you Samin10. I think they should have chosen clones but good luck to Limerick.

Tom1916 (Armagh) - Posts: 2001 - 24/02/2009 13:48:20    216842

The ulster final is in clones because it is in the south, there are tax benfits of that too.

Reasons it isnt in casement.

1. Location, bad area, the westies would have a field day on you.
2. Location. There is nothing around it.
3. It is a bad ground for a big match. This is a monster event and needs to show the best of what the country has to offer. Casement is not it.

gottabetrue (Tyrone) - Posts: 300 - 24/02/2009 14:01:48    216858

24/02/2009 12:15:04
stranmillis29
County: Antrim
Posts: 10

216680 Its all about the moolah - the GAA get tax breaks from the Irish govt but not in NI - hence the ulster football final is held in clones and not casement


Interesting, have not heard that before. Thanks.

This is a good example of polite sarcasm.

stranmillis29 (Antrim) - Posts: 788 - 24/02/2009 14:03:36    216860

Cant get access to Irsish news and not paying £3 for 1day subscription fee so can someone please summarise (in point form) how casement pk is outdated. in my opinion its a great venue and for big matches too

remember watching derry-down ulster semifinal there few yrs back it was a scorching day. great game too reported to be 35000 at it which is comparable with Clones capacity.

Plus its location is great - right beside the M1 Clones is a pure bottle neck!

stranmillis29 (Antrim) - Posts: 788 - 24/02/2009 14:11:13    216875

Surprised this Took so long to get on the message Board.When i heard it was to be held in limerick i was shocked as well.
We are very happy that it is ,but i was fully sure that they would give casement park the match.
Was up at 2 Games in casement seems a fine venue. Parking is terrible but what ground has perfect parking these days.

declan30 (Limerick) - Posts: 652 - 24/02/2009 14:21:18    216893