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Glasgow Times
27-05-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
O'Neill ‘determined to see Casement Park over the line'
The planned refurb of the derelict GAA ground in west Belfast has faced years of delay due to legal action by concerned residents and funding uncertainty. Asked for an update on the situation during Executive Office questions on Tuesday by SDLP MLA Justin McNulty, Ms O'Neill said she consistently raises Casement Park with all levels of the British and Irish Governments. First Minister Michelle O'Neill (Liam McBurney/PA) She was also due to meet with Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to discuss it on Tuesday afternoon. Currently plans for a 34,000-capacity venue on the site are in limbo due to a major funding gap of around £150 million. Last year the UK government ended hopes that the Belfast venue would host Euro 2028 soccer games when it said it would not bridge the funding gap to deliver the reconstruction in time. The Stormont Executive has committed £62.5 million to the redevelopment, the Irish Government has offered roughly £42 million while the GAA has pledged to contribute at least £15 million. The UK Government has said it will decide if it will make a contribution to the build costs as part of next month's UK-wide Spending Review. However, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has made clear that even if the Government does divert money to the project, the sum will not alone bridge the current funding gap. On Tuesday, Ms O'Neill said: 'We have to put every bit of energy and effort that we have to ensure that it is will be built. 'This is an Executive flagship project. 'I am determined to see it over the line, and I'm determined to work with all partners to ensure that that is the case.' DUP sports minister Gordon Lyons takes his seat at his first GAA match, the Armagh vs Derry Senior Football Championship, at the Athletic Ground in Armagh on Saturday (Peter Morrison/PA) Referring to Mr Lyons attending his first GAA match in post at the weekend, Ms O'Neill said she hopes he 'got a sense of how important it is to Gaels right across this island to play games in their own stadiums'. 'But I am absolutely determined to ensure that we get movement on Casement Park, and that means working with the minister, that means working with the British government, the Irish government, the GAA and all partners who are committed to ensuring that this project gets over the line. 'It is going to take all the partners working together to ensure that it is across the line. 'We missed a huge opportunity in terms of the Euros not being able to play and have our part in all of that, and the economic benefit that that would have brought to us all. 'It's a long overdue home for Ulster Gaels, and it is now time to get it built. 'I can say that I am determined to continue to work with everybody to ensure that the funding contribution is put on the table so that we can get on with actually building the project.'
South Wales Argus
27-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
O'Neill ‘determined to see Casement Park over the line'
The planned refurb of the derelict GAA ground in west Belfast has faced years of delay due to legal action by concerned residents and funding uncertainty. Asked for an update on the situation during Executive Office questions on Tuesday by SDLP MLA Justin McNulty, Ms O'Neill said she consistently raises Casement Park with all levels of the British and Irish Governments. First Minister Michelle O'Neill (Liam McBurney/PA) She was also due to meet with Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to discuss it on Tuesday afternoon. Currently plans for a 34,000-capacity venue on the site are in limbo due to a major funding gap of around £150 million. Last year the UK government ended hopes that the Belfast venue would host Euro 2028 soccer games when it said it would not bridge the funding gap to deliver the reconstruction in time. The Stormont Executive has committed £62.5 million to the redevelopment, the Irish Government has offered roughly £42 million while the GAA has pledged to contribute at least £15 million. The UK Government has said it will decide if it will make a contribution to the build costs as part of next month's UK-wide Spending Review. However, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has made clear that even if the Government does divert money to the project, the sum will not alone bridge the current funding gap. On Tuesday, Ms O'Neill said: 'We have to put every bit of energy and effort that we have to ensure that it is will be built. 'This is an Executive flagship project. 'I am determined to see it over the line, and I'm determined to work with all partners to ensure that that is the case.' DUP sports minister Gordon Lyons takes his seat at his first GAA match, the Armagh vs Derry Senior Football Championship, at the Athletic Ground in Armagh on Saturday (Peter Morrison/PA) Referring to Mr Lyons attending his first GAA match in post at the weekend, Ms O'Neill said she hopes he 'got a sense of how important it is to Gaels right across this island to play games in their own stadiums'. 'But I am absolutely determined to ensure that we get movement on Casement Park, and that means working with the minister, that means working with the British government, the Irish government, the GAA and all partners who are committed to ensuring that this project gets over the line. 'It is going to take all the partners working together to ensure that it is across the line. 'We missed a huge opportunity in terms of the Euros not being able to play and have our part in all of that, and the economic benefit that that would have brought to us all. 'It's a long overdue home for Ulster Gaels, and it is now time to get it built. 'I can say that I am determined to continue to work with everybody to ensure that the funding contribution is put on the table so that we can get on with actually building the project.'
Western Telegraph
27-05-2025
- Business
- Western Telegraph
O'Neill ‘determined to see Casement Park over the line'
The planned refurb of the derelict GAA ground in west Belfast has faced years of delay due to legal action by concerned residents and funding uncertainty. Asked for an update on the situation during Executive Office questions on Tuesday by SDLP MLA Justin McNulty, Ms O'Neill said she consistently raises Casement Park with all levels of the British and Irish Governments. First Minister Michelle O'Neill (Liam McBurney/PA) She was also due to meet with Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to discuss it on Tuesday afternoon. Currently plans for a 34,000-capacity venue on the site are in limbo due to a major funding gap of around £150 million. Last year the UK government ended hopes that the Belfast venue would host Euro 2028 soccer games when it said it would not bridge the funding gap to deliver the reconstruction in time. The Stormont Executive has committed £62.5 million to the redevelopment, the Irish Government has offered roughly £42 million while the GAA has pledged to contribute at least £15 million. The UK Government has said it will decide if it will make a contribution to the build costs as part of next month's UK-wide Spending Review. However, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has made clear that even if the Government does divert money to the project, the sum will not alone bridge the current funding gap. On Tuesday, Ms O'Neill said: 'We have to put every bit of energy and effort that we have to ensure that it is will be built. 'This is an Executive flagship project. 'I am determined to see it over the line, and I'm determined to work with all partners to ensure that that is the case.' DUP sports minister Gordon Lyons takes his seat at his first GAA match, the Armagh vs Derry Senior Football Championship, at the Athletic Ground in Armagh on Saturday (Peter Morrison/PA) Referring to Mr Lyons attending his first GAA match in post at the weekend, Ms O'Neill said she hopes he 'got a sense of how important it is to Gaels right across this island to play games in their own stadiums'. 'But I am absolutely determined to ensure that we get movement on Casement Park, and that means working with the minister, that means working with the British government, the Irish government, the GAA and all partners who are committed to ensuring that this project gets over the line. 'It is going to take all the partners working together to ensure that it is across the line. 'We missed a huge opportunity in terms of the Euros not being able to play and have our part in all of that, and the economic benefit that that would have brought to us all. 'It's a long overdue home for Ulster Gaels, and it is now time to get it built. 'I can say that I am determined to continue to work with everybody to ensure that the funding contribution is put on the table so that we can get on with actually building the project.'
South Wales Argus
24-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
DUP minister vows commitment to all sports as he attends first senior GAA game
The DUP Sports Minister was welcomed to the Athletic Grounds in Armagh on Saturday afternoon for the gaelic football match between All-Ireland champions Armagh and Derry. Mr Lyons did not take his seat in the main stand until after the traditional pre-match singing of the Irish national anthem, Amhran na bhFiann. Arriving at the venue around 40 minutes before throw-in, he was greeted by senior Ulster GAA representatives, president Michael Geoghegan and chief executive officer Brian McAvoy. Gordon Lyons (second right) attends his first GAA match, the Armagh vs Derry Senior Football Championship at the Athletic Ground in Armagh (Peter Morrison/PA) Mr Geoghegan and Mr McAvoy sat either side of the minister during the game. The DUP minister had faced criticism for not having attending a senior-level GAA match in his first 15 months as Communities Minister – a portfolio that includes responsibilities for sports in Northern Ireland. Speaking to reporters as he arrived at the ground, Mr Lyons said he wanted the focus of his visit to remain on the sporting action. 'Last week, I received an invite from Ulster GAA to come to the match here in Armagh today and I'm pleased to have been able to have accepted that invitation,' he said. 'As minister for sports in Northern Ireland I want to see more people get more active, more often, and I recognise the role that the GAA has to play in us achieving that ambition. 'I'm looking forward to engaging with officials, with players and with staff today, and I hope I am once more demonstrating my commitment to all sport in all areas, at all levels in Northern Ireland, and that's where the focus should be on today – on the sport.' Mr Geoghegan said it was a 'great day' for both the GAA and the minister. 'It's a great day for us, it's a great day for the minister,' he said. 'I believe he's going to see a full house here and going to see a very exciting game in the all-Ireland series. So we're delighted to have him as our guest here today.' Gordon Lyons (right) is greeted by Michael Geoghegan, president of Ulster GAA, as he arrives at the Athletic Grounds (Peter Morrison/PA) Mr McAvoy said while it would have made it 'easier' if Mr Lyons had attended a game earlier in his time as minister, he acknowledged the issues he had coming to events on a Sunday. 'It probably would have been easier for both parties had it happened sooner,' he said. 'But we do understand the minister, that we play a lot of our games on a Sunday, and obviously due to his beliefs he doesn't attend any sporting events on a Sunday, and we respect that. 'So, it's good that we finally managed to synchronise diaries.' Mr Lyons' attendance comes ahead of an expected funding decision on the troubled redevelopment of the derelict GAA ground at Casement Park in west Belfast. Plans for a 34,000-capacity venue at Casement Park remain in limbo due to a major funding gap of around £150 million. The £270 million project has faced years of delay due to disputes over planning and funding. Last September, the UK Government ended hopes that the Belfast venue would host Euro 2028 soccer games when it said it would not bridge the funding gap to deliver the reconstruction in time. DUP Sports Minister Gordon Lyons speaks to the media outside the Athletic Grounds (Peter Morrison/PA) The Stormont Executive has committed £62.5 million to the redevelopment, the Irish Government has offered roughly £42 million while the GAA has pledged to contribute at least £15 million. The UK Government has said it will decide if it will make a contribution to the build costs as part of next month's UK-wide Spending Review. However, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has made clear that even if the Government does divert money to the project, the sum will not alone bridge the current funding gap. Mr Lyons, who has oversight for the project, has rejected claims he is not prioritising the rebuild, while Mr Benn has also pushed back at suggestions the impasse is the fault of the UK Government. The minister did not comment on the Casement issues as he spoke to the media on Saturday. Mr Geoghegan expressed hope that the UK Government would deliver a funding boost for the Casement rebuild. 'We're hopeful, the GAA public at large are very hopeful that something will be coming our way,' he said. 'Because, as you can see, we have a full stadium here today. We had a full stadium there a fortnight ago in Clones (for the Ulster Senior Football Championship final). 'The crowds are coming and we need better facilities to host our games.' Mr Lyons was not the first DUP politician to go to a GAA match. Former party leaders Peter Robinson and Arlene Foster attended games, and current DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and former communities minister and current Education minister Paul Givan have tried their hands at Gaelic games during visits to GAA clubs. Mr Lyons was also not the only Stormont minister at the Athletic Grounds on Saturday. Sinn Fein Infrastructure minister and Armagh fan Liz Kimmins was at the game, as were several other politicians, including Sinn Fein senator Conor Murphy and party MLA Cathal Boylan. SDLP MLA and former Armagh player Justin McNulty was also in the stands.
Irish Examiner
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Rafferty repels Derry fightback as Armagh get off to winning start
Armagh 2-21 Derry 2-17 ALL-IRELAND champions Armagh got this season's campaign off to a winning start against Derry on home soil. Four Ethan Rafferty saves denied a spirited Derry comeback from 13 points down late on with Conor Glass and Dan Higgins hitting Derry goals. The news before thrown-in was Rian O'Neill's first inclusion since last year's All-Ireland final win over Galway, coming in for Aidan Forker. Derry's change saw Anton Tohill make his championship debut in a switch from Niall Loughlin who was listed in the initial selection. WATCHING ON: DUP Sports minister Gordon Lyons (second right) attends his first GAA match, the Armagh vs Derry Senior Football Championship, at the Athletic Ground in Armagh. Picture date: Saturday May 24, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Peter Morrison/PA Wire Armagh were three up at half-time before hitting the first four points of the second half to exert control of the game before McCambridge fisted to the net. Conor Glass kicked the game's opening score before Armagh, with the wind at their back, roared into action. Murnin and Conaty notched points before the latter added a two pointer for a 0-5 to 0-1 lead after eight minutes. Derry were living on scraps from their kickouts but Ethan Doherty's running game asked questions or Armagh. Paul Cassidy and Ruairi Forbes hit Derry points before an error led to a two pointer from Turbitt helped the home side on their way to a 0-10 to 0-4 lead. Rian O'Neill was among the scorers while older brother Oisin was forced off injured. The inspirational Glass, Cassidy and McGuigan had points to bring Derry back into the but they needed a Niall Toner block on the line to deny McCambridge a goal. At the other end, Ethan Doherty blasted over when a goal was in to make the interval score 0-12 to 0-9 in Armagh's favour. Ross McQuillan added his second point in the first attack before Jarly Óg Burns and Jason Duffy fisted Armagh six points clear as they dominated the Derry kick-out. The champions' dominance continued with a Murnin point at the end of a four-minute spell when Derry couldn't get hands on the ball. After a stoppage for an injury to Glass, McCambridge fisted a Murnin shot ahead of McKinless to the net for a 1-16 to 0-9 Armagh lead. McGrogan (45) and Toner (free) replied for Derry. McGuigan landed a two pointer but it was Armagh who still held the upper hand in many sectors. When Turbitt raced past Patrick McGurk to bag a game's second goal he stretched the lead to nine points. McQuillan, Conaty and Grguan added three points as they opened up the margin again with 55 minutes on the clock. Rogers got in for a goal but he was denied by a full-length Rafferty save when Derry needed any sort of lifeline. It was same minutes later when Rafferty denied Rogers with another stellar stop before McQuillan notched a fourth of the day. The Derry pressure eventually paid off when Glass slotted to the net with Dan Higgins adding a second goal in the next play. Derry almost found the net again but Tommy Rogers – cousin of Brendan – was denied by Rafferty. McGuigan added a two-point free after a three-versus-three infraction as Derry took the 13-point lead back to four points before he missed a two-point chance from play. Glass did the same seconds later before Rafferty denied Brendan Roger again in the last play. Next up for Derry is a visit of Galway with Armagh taking on Dublin in Croke Park. Scorers for Derry: C Glass 1-3, S McGuigan (tpf, tp), P Cassidy (1 tp) 0-5 each, D Higgins 1-0, E Doherty, R Forbes, P McGrogan (45) and N Toner (f) 0-1 each Scorers for Armagh: C Turbitt 1-2 (tp), O Conaty (1 tp), R McQuillan 0-4 each, R Grugan (2f), A Murnin 0-3 each, B McCambridge 1-0, J McElroy, D McMullen, R O'Neill, J Burns and J Duffy 0-1 each DERRY: B McKinless; P McGurk, E McEvoy, D Baker; R Forbes, B Rogers, P McGrogan; C Glass, C Doherty; C McFaul, P Cassidy, N Toner; A Tohill, S McGuigan, E Doherty Subs: D Higgins for Tohill (39), R Mulholland for McGurk (54), C Devlin for McFaul (60), T Rogers for Toner (62), D McDermott for McGrogan (66) ARMAGH: E Rafferty; P Burns, B McCambridge, P McGrane; R McQuillan, T Kelly, J Burns; J Duffy, B Crealey; D McMullen, R Grugan, O Conaty; R O'Neill, A Murnin, O O'Neill Subs: C Turbitt for O O'Neill (INJ 14), S Campbell for Duffy (52), N Grimley for R O'Neill (56), J McElroy for Grugan (61) G McCabe for McQuillan (62) Attendance: 14, 979 Referee: S Hurson (Tyrone)
