Casement Park

Planning permission for the redevelopment of Casement Park in Antrim, Ulster and Ireland was confirmed in July 2021. The project was expected to begin in early 2022 and last for two years. However, the approval was challenged in court, but the appeal was rejected in May 2022. In March 2023, the GEA announced that if the redevelopment goes as planned, Casement Park could be included in a joint bid to host the UEFA Euro 2028 Championship. This news is welcomed by GEA members, as it will give the county teams a home ground and a sense of pride. Antrim Horror Paddy Cunningham also highlights the importance of having a home ground for sports. Overall, there is a positive consensus among GEA fans in Antrim, as progress on the stadium is expected soon. This will come as welcome news for all GEA members in Antrim, Ulster and Ireland. In July 2021, planning permission for the redevelopment of Casement Park was confirmed. At that time, the redevelopment project was set to commence in the first half of 2022 and expected to be a two-year build, however, the planning approval was subject to a High Court review and in May 2022, an appeal against the stadium's redevelopment was rejected by the court. In March 2023, the GEA announced that, if redeveloped as proposed, it would give special permission for Casement Park to be included in a joint UK and Ireland bid to host the UEFA Euro 2028 Championship. Antrim GEA's Neil McManus hopes the recent announcement is a sign that progress is finally being made. Since Casement's closure in 2013, Antrim footballers played their home games in Corgan Park, outside Belfast, while the Horrors played in Lough Gael. The stadium will give the county teams an identity and a place fans can be proud of watching their teams play. Antrim Horror Paddy Cunningham recalls the days when he used to go to Casement Park and also explains the impact having a home ground for sports to go to can have, especially for Overall, there is a positive consensus among GEA fans in Antrim, as what's being done on the stadium is just around the corner. Both players and supporters can finally look forward to the possibility of coming to their home ground to watch their county play, a luxury they will have for many years to come.