Hopes of significant UK funding allocation for Casement Park
The UK's Chanceller of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves is to set out her spending review in the House of Commons later today.
Many are hoping that a significant allocation towards the construction of Casement Park in west Belfast will be included.
The stadium, the home of Antrim GAA, has been derelict for over a decade.
It is estimated that the project will cost £260 million (€296.9 million), less than half of which is already in place.
The Irish Government has pledged around £43 million (€51 million), the Stormont Executive £62.5 million (€74.2 million) and the GAA £15 million (€17.8 million).
A shortfall of £140 million remains.
It was hoped that the stadium could have been redeveloped for Euro 2028 but this did not come to pass.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said afterwards that he wanted an "alternative proposition".
Many, including in the GAA, are quietly hopeful that a significant sum will be provided later today.
However, the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves is facing huge spending demands from across Whitehall.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, has been among cabinet members pushing for increased funding for his department, including money for Casement Park.
However, Mr Benn has previously stated too that the UK government cannot plug the full £140 million gap.
The Stormont Executive committed to redeveloping Casement Park in 2011 as part of a strategy to revamp football's Windsor Park and the rugby ground at Ravenhill.
While the two other Belfast-based projects went ahead, the redevelopment of Casement was delayed.
Intense lobbying efforts have been underway in recent times, with Ulster GAA visiting Westminster last week, to press politicians on the need to include a significant allocation in today's spending review.
Last week Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill also called on the British government to provide substantial funding to help rebuild Casement Park.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin stated last September that he would not rule out further money being provided by the Irish Government.
The 34,500 capacity stadium has planning permission until July 2026 so it is hoped construction can start before then.
This afternoon's Spending Review will be a pivotal moment for the UK government, as it maps out its day-to-day spending and investment plans for much of the remainder of the parliament.
Defence, health and infrastructure are likely to be prioritised, in what is otherwise a constrained spending package.
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