logo
Antrim Gaels urge Secretary of State to honour promises around Casement Park

Antrim Gaels urge Secretary of State to honour promises around Casement Park

Leader Livea day ago

It comes as long-awaited plans for the redevelopment of the now derelict ground remain mired in uncertainty.
Plans for a 34,000-capacity venue face a major funding gap of around £150 million.
Stormont has committed £62.5 million to Casement, while the Irish Government has offered roughly £42 million and the GAA has pledged to contribute at least £15 million.
There has been speculation the UK government will announce next week whether it will plug the remaining funding gap for the estimated £270 million cost.
Ahead of that, representatives of South Antrim GAA, including young people from clubs across the county, travelled to the Northern Ireland Office base at Erskine House in Belfast city centre to hand a letter in to Mr Benn.
The letter notes that next week will mark the 12th anniversary of the last GAA game to be played at Casement Park.
They said while investment in the Windsor Park football stadium and rugby ground at Ravenhill promised in 2011 were delivered, Casement is still waiting.
The letter also refers to further disappointment last year when hopes of rebuilding Casement as a venue for the 2028 Euros were dashed.
It reminded Mr Benn of an assurance by former secretary of state Chris Heaton-Harris that funding would be found to rebuild Casement.
'That promise was as empty as the stands at Casement Park today, and the Euros will now be played elsewhere,' they said.
'The GAA, the Irish Government and the Executive have each made formal commitments to this project, all of which remain firmly in place.
'We are now calling on you as Secretary of State, to honour the commitment given to our members that Casement Park will be built, and that the money will be found.'
The letter continued: 'Casement Park will leave a legacy that transforms Gaelic Games in Antrim and Ulster, creating unparalleled sporting and economic opportunities, and enhancing community relations setting the tone for reconciliation that will be remembered for generations to come.
'It's time to stop the dithering and delay. It's time to live up to all the promises and commitments. It's time to finally build Casement.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Reece James hoping to make it a family affair on the England scene this summer
Reece James hoping to make it a family affair on the England scene this summer

Glasgow Times

time6 hours ago

  • Glasgow Times

Reece James hoping to make it a family affair on the England scene this summer

The Chelsea defender wants to pin down his place in Thomas Tuchel's side in the upcoming games against Andorra and Senegal while his sister Lauren has overcome injury to be named in the Lionesses squad for Euro 2025 in July. James is delighted for his younger sister and knows the siblings are making their parents proud. Reece James is hoping to nail his position down in Thomas Tuchel's side (Bradley Collyer/PA) 'I'm delighted for her,' the right-back said. 'She obviously got injured with England at the back end of the season, and I'm happy she got selected to represent England going into another Euros. 'I've spoken to her briefly yesterday, I know she's focused on training and trying to get her body right for the tournament. 'The family are very much happy. Both of us representing our country, they're proud.' James has some competition if he wants to make the right-back position his own for next summer's World Cup, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kyle Walker also in contention. The 25-year-old has had an excellent campaign for Chelsea, leading them to Europa Conference League glory and Champions League qualification, with the chance of more silverware to come with the start of the Club World Cup later this month. He believes he is going in the 'right direction' and is not fazed by competition for places. 'I had a difficult two or three seasons, always being injured and coming back and breaking down again, and it was tough,' he admitted. 'It takes a lot out of you when you have so many setbacks. 'This season, I feel like I've come on leaps and bounds, playing on a consistent basis, getting selected for England again. I'm feeling strong, and for sure, I'm moving in the right direction. 'It's something I'm used to, playing or competing with world-class players. 'They're two phenomenal players in my position. 'And yes, of course, it's going to be tough. But we all have different capabilities and different strengths, just whichever one the manager wants to play.'

Jack Grealish needs regular football for World Cup consideration
Jack Grealish needs regular football for World Cup consideration

The Herald Scotland

time8 hours ago

  • The Herald Scotland

Jack Grealish needs regular football for World Cup consideration

Tuchel said he loved Grealish's personality, courage and quality after leaving him out in March due to a lack of game-time, with the attacking midfielder making just six City appearances since then. Grealish has found minutes hard to come by at the Etihad Stadium this season (Martin Rickett/PA) City manager Pep Guardiola is reportedly set to leave the former Aston Villa player out of his Club World Cup squad and a summer exit appears on the cards. England boss Tuchel said: 'My thoughts are still the same. I love Jack for his personality and of course his talent. 'He is a very unique player who can handle big pressure on the field. He is never shy of pressure. It's the opposite. 'He grows in big matches but he's a player who needs minutes and minutes and minutes and simply does not get them for a very long time. That's basically everything. Nothing has changed. 'I have maybe the same information as you that City are thinking of not taking him to the Club World Cup, so he needs to make himself available by playing. I think it's one of his key strengths. 'To go every three days and get better and better with every minute that he has in his legs – that's what is missing, nothing else. 'I have spoken to him after the first international camp and very shortly after the FA Cup final but not since then.' There are no City players in England's squad for June's double-header, but nine of the group are heading to the Club World Cup. Tuchel said he was not overthinking that aspect and, just like he did at the squad announcement, stressed that international matters took precedence. Asked if clubs had requested players did not feature in both Saturday's qualifier against Andorra and the Senegal friendly on Tuesday, he said: 'No one has asked me that question. 'I said also many times, I was like 15 years I think in club football, I think I have never asked an international coach what to do and how to use the players. "It was a good opportunity to change the environment." Thomas Tuchel talks on this week's warm weather training camp in Spain ☀️ — England (@England) June 6, 2025 'We have very limited time for ourselves. We have our very own interest also to see a lot of the players that are in camp and maybe even all of the players that are in camp, so we have an own interest to mix the teams. 'But no coach has called me and there was no request from the FA that a club called. 'We know the clubs have a lot of matches and the players go after to the Club World Cup. 'But it can also happen that some players start twice for us, but like I said, we also have an interest to see a lot of players in these two matches, so I think we will not in the end upset anyone.' Bukayo Saka might not be risked against Andorra as he recovers from a knock (Bradley Collyer/PA) Another player heading to the Club World Cup is Liam Delap, who is going there with new club Chelsea rather than leading the line for England Under-21s at the Euros. 'It would have been nice for him and for the FA for him to play a big tournament, but that's nowadays football,' said Tuchel, who may not risk Bukayo Saka against Andorra as he recovers from a knock. 'There are some rules and its club first. It would have been nice to do the 21s and would have been nice to see him lead the under-21s as the main striker.'

England football ace Millie Bright leaves fiancé & falls for married personal trainer ‘in a big way'
England football ace Millie Bright leaves fiancé & falls for married personal trainer ‘in a big way'

Scottish Sun

time10 hours ago

  • Scottish Sun

England football ace Millie Bright leaves fiancé & falls for married personal trainer ‘in a big way'

'The fall-out has been enormous, but Millie has fallen hook, line and sinker for her ideal man', claims an insider Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ENGLAND football ace Millie Bright has left her fiancé and fallen for a married personal trainer. The Lionesses defender, 31, pulled out of Euro 2025 this week — stating she was unable to 'give 100 per cent mentally or physically'. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 England football ace Millie Bright has left her fiancé and fallen for a married personal trainer Credit: PA 4 We can reveal Millie has split from husband-to-be Levi Crew and grown close to a fitness instructor - who The Sun is not naming Credit: Instagram 4 The move comes after the Chelsea captain's shock decision to quit England's Euro 2025 squad Credit: Alamy We can reveal she has split from husband-to-be Levi Crew and grown close to a fitness instructor. It is understood he has now left his wife and is living at Chelsea captain Millie's luxury house. There is no suggestion either of them cheated on their partners. Pals said Millie — who won Euro 2022 and led England to the World Cup final in 2023 — met the trainer last year after starting to work out at a gym in Redhill, Surrey. Sources say she later struck up a friendship with the married dad, who we are not identifying. Earlier this year she split from Levi, and the trainer broke up with his wife 'out of the blue'. A source told The Sun: 'Millie's shock withdrawal from the England squad ahead of Euro 2025 left fans open-mouthed. 'She has always loved playing for her country, and spoke of her pride in doing so.' They went on: 'She has fallen for this guy in a big way, and that has come with some big sacrifices. "The fall-out has been enormous, but Millie has fallen hook, line and sinker for her ideal man.' England Lionesses announce squad for Euro 2025 after THREE withdrawals Other sources close to Millie stressed her withdrawal was based purely on her need for an operation to fix a long-term injury. Millie and Levi shared a home in Surrey and their families were close. In December 2023, she announced their engagement on social media, flashing her diamond ring on holiday in Mauritius. She has referred to Levi as her 'king' who was with her 'through thick and thin'. She even has a tattoo of his eye on her arm which has been shown prominently in official squad photos. But fans noticed she had removed any mention of him from her social media accounts and deleted the engagement post. Millie has undergone minor knee surgery after a stellar season with Chelsea, winning the treble and finishing unbeaten domestically. She said pulling out of the upcoming Euros in Switzerland 'was not an easy decision', adding: 'I just don't feel 100 per cent mentally or physically in a position to go on and compete in a tournament.' She aimed to 'get myself back in tip-top condition and just happy again, I think, all round, just feeling like myself'. England's first game is against much-fancied France on July 5. Last night a spokesman for Millie declined to comment.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store