Well folks I've been hearing bits and pieces about the Casement Park redevelopment and wanted to know what my fellow ulstermen think of it. On one hand I think it will be fantastic to have a state of the art new 40,000 seater stadium to showcase our games but on the other hand I have reservations. Some of the points I'd raise are:

Why choose Casement? If it's an Ulster Stadium then place it in mid-ulster and not in Belfast which is hardly fair on west ulster counties like ourselves and parts of Tyrone and Derry.
If so much money has been put into Clones up until now why not continue with this venue as it now looks like money was wasted.
How much (if any) tax will now be paid to the British Government for the big occasions that will be held at Casement.
Will this new stadium be for GAA sports only or is this just a ploy to get the GAA to pump money into it for it to then be turned into a new stadium for all sports in Northern Ireland, i'd be very sceptical about this in particular.

My biggest concern is for the Ulster Final as an occasion. There is no doubt that Clones has its flaws with access but more than makes up for that with atmosphere on the day. People arrive early and soak up the atmosphere in the local pubs and hotels before making the trek up the hill to the game. There is always a great atmosphere and I think this can't and won't be replicated in Casement with people just arriving for the game and leaving straight away after. There is also a laid back and casual feel in Clones compared to a sometimes rigid and tense atmosphere in Belfast (I lived there for a number of years).

All in all I think it will be great to have a great new stadium to play our Ulster Finals in but I think the occasion will be lost forever.

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1686 - 04/09/2012 13:40:14    1258967

Well Tir Conaill Abu, how much UK tax payers money is being pumped into Casement? I get your point however regarding tradition, atmosphere, etc and no doubt the Antrim lads will be on here telling us that Casement was the home of the Ulster final prior to the onset of the troubles, but you have to question the economic viability of a 40,000 seater stadium that will only be used for a handful of games every year and that will seldom attract the numbers to make it a sell out.

brendtheredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 10897 - 04/09/2012 13:53:07    1258991

Even though I'm living in Belfast now I would share these reservations

benjyyy (Donegal) - Posts: 1450 - 04/09/2012 13:55:40    1258994

Yeah I think the money is being made available from the Executive as plans to redevelop Ravenhill are advanced (and Windsor park I believe).
So GAA in the 6 counties have an entitlement to it and it is a great ground with good access but probably not suited to all 9 as you say.
I'm not sure it is planned to eclipse Clones but it is expected to get more big games - Ulster semi finals at least.

Clones is certainly an occasion and the atmosphere in the town can be electric but borders on H&S risk as huge crowds try to get through the narrow streets.
Love the ground but in every other aspect it isn't fit for purpose but believe it will continue to be the provincial HQ.
Still nice to have more top class stadia throughout but curious as to how many big games it can actually get when fully developed.

Tyronetim (Tyrone) - Posts: 1254 - 04/09/2012 14:04:59    1259009

the uk taxpayer would include gaa members so they are entitled to every penny of that money for the stadium redevelopment

fishman (Kildare) - Posts: 6 - 04/09/2012 14:13:42    1259022

brendtheredhand
I think I came across wrong on the tax thing. I know the tax payers in NI contribute a lot of their money to the GAA and wasn't having a dig at any of my fellow gaels in NI. My query is that was NI chosen as a venue instead of ROI because they would have to pay less tax than to the Irish Government? I've no idea if any taxes are paid for sporting occasions so was just raising this as a query.
This wouldn't however bother me too much but the threat to the Ulster Final as an occasion certainly would, especially in Belfast in July.

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1686 - 04/09/2012 14:14:04    1259024

Why choose Casement? If it's an Ulster Stadium then place it in mid-ulster and not in Belfast which is hardly fair on west ulster counties like ourselves and parts of Tyrone and Derry.

If thats the case shouldnt croke park be in ATHLONE?

beaver (Limerick) - Posts: 108 - 04/09/2012 14:18:43    1259028

Casement Needs redeveloped as anyone who has been in the stadium knows, small stand, scores of seats closed off and changing rooms from the 50's. Nelson Mc Causland the then Sports Minister who is no friend of the GAA was shocked by the state of the Ground and outside of Antrim home games there hasn't been a big game there in a few years. The N.I. Executive is giving us the money so why not go ahead and build a Stadium our sport deserves.

I'm sure with time we can get people drunk enough in the surrounding areas to give the ground that party atmosphere that Clones claims as so special. On match days we can round them up from castle street with their blue bags to get the party started.

lufty (Antrim) - Posts: 77 - 04/09/2012 14:50:58    1259064

TyroneTim
I can't see them pumping this kind of money in to just host semi's, the Ulster Final will definitely be in Casement in 2016 if the project is completed on schedule.

beaver
I take it you're questioning why Croke Park didn't decide to build a new stadium in Athlone instead of redeveloping Croke Park to the current stadium but Croke Park was the home of GAA and for that reason it was never realistically going to move away from Dublin. The reasons to develop Casement would be an entirely different argument.

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1686 - 04/09/2012 14:56:56    1259076

http://ted.europa.eu/udl?uri=TED%3ANOTICE%3A42413-2012%3ATEXT%3AEN%3AHTML&src=0
For anyone who want to see the exact details of what the development will entail, here is the tender document.

lufty (Antrim) - Posts: 77 - 04/09/2012 15:03:10    1259090

Tir Conaill Abu
The money is not something thye have an option on. As part of the GFA there was to be a shared "National"(Stop laughing) staida between Rugby Soccer and GAA and failing agreement they had to redevlopment the incumbent stadia Ravenhill, Windor and Casement. The Shiners pushed for the Maze as a venue Unionists blocked it there was no consensus so they had to release funds for each to develop their own. The RFU never wanted a 40k+ stadium as they believed they couldn't fill it.
Ravenhill announced their plans some 6/8 months ago so Casement and Ulster GAA is pursuing their plan now.
There was some commitment to a number of "High profile" games but I don't belive a permanent switch form Clones was on the agenda/expectation.

Tyronetim (Tyrone) - Posts: 1254 - 04/09/2012 15:20:43    1259111

tir chonaill abu, i agree with you and share your concerns about belfast. Clones is the provincial home and should remain so, I think the GAA should have taken the money and looked at developing the garvaghey complex that tyrone are building or perhaps developed another greenfield site in this area.

Tom1916 (Armagh) - Posts: 2001 - 04/09/2012 15:24:48    1259119

Clones is far from perfect but for tradition, atmosphere and location it makes a lot more sense than West Belfast

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5030 - 04/09/2012 15:40:08    1259140

Tir Conaill Abu
County: Donegal
Posts: 355

1259024 brendtheredhand
I think I came across wrong on the tax thing. I know the tax payers in NI contribute a lot of their money to the GAA and wasn't having a dig at any of my fellow gaels in NI. My query is that was NI chosen as a venue instead of ROI because they would have to pay less tax than to the Irish Government? I've no idea if any taxes are paid for sporting occasions so was just raising this as a query.
This wouldn't however bother me too much but the threat to the Ulster Final as an occasion certainly would, especially in Belfast in July.

It wasn't really a case of "choice". The money was set aside for stadium development only, by the NI Government. It couldnt be used for anything esle, and could only be used in NI, therefore the 3 main stadiums (casement, ravenhill, windsor) were given the biggest allocation of the money. Windsor & Ravenhill got about £40million between them, so for the NI Assembly or whatever its called to put so much into the GAA is fantastic.

But!...As an antrim man who lives in Andersonstown, it is going to be absolute madness during constuction, and tbh although a great idea, a bit of a waste of money i think.

PE1985 (Antrim) - Posts: 59 - 04/09/2012 15:50:41    1259153

Casement's location alone should be enough to host the Ulster final, its right beside the M1 and M2 linking all counties with a direct route without mass traffic before and after the match. There are far more parking areas, plenty of pubs and Antrim rarely play in the final so more chance of a neutral venue.

Topa_the_left (Antrim) - Posts: 250 - 04/09/2012 15:50:58    1259154

TyroneTim
Sorry but I couldn't help it and had a wee laugh. As Tom1916 eluded to the development that Tyrone are doing would've been a better one to back for major development in location but I don't think it has the adjoining facilities immediately to the ground, e.g. restaurants, shops, pubs, hotels etc. to support it. It does however look like a fantastic achievement for the Tyrone County Board and will be the envy of every county.

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1686 - 04/09/2012 16:05:31    1259165

I'm sure the West Belfast teenage joyriders are liking their lip's at the thought of Ulster finals day in Casement so many styles/colours and cc to choose from .

fortyfive (Tyrone) - Posts: 5929 - 04/09/2012 16:23:44    1259187

fortyfive the West is always busy with cars i doubt the morons you mentioned will be waiting on your muck stained Volvo 940s ;-)

Topa_the_left (Antrim) - Posts: 250 - 04/09/2012 16:59:37    1259224

Always thought Omagh would have been a good choice. Plenty of room for development and fairly central for the entire provience.

Bain (Donegal) - Posts: 470 - 04/09/2012 18:20:19    1259292

It should be in mid-ulster somewhere, where it is easy accessed by all the counties!
Belfast isn't the most welcoming of places for the traveling GAA supporter decked out
in their colour's either, in fact be prepared for refusal from many of the city centre watering holes!

The present casement park is not great, it is a terrible ground for atmosphere, its in the middle
of skangerville and it is difficult to access!

Belfast is a poor choice!

TheGateKeeper (Tyrone) - Posts: 2843 - 04/09/2012 18:44:06    1259317