CASEMENT PARK is one of two stadiums in Ireland that is set to host matches at Euro 2028.
That is despite the Belfast ground having been unused and rotting since 2013 and awaiting re-development.
Alongside the Aviva Stadium, Casement will be assigned games once UEFA formalise Ireland and the UK as hosts for the tournament.
After opening in 1953, Casement Park played a significant role in the development, promotion and profile of Gaelic Games in Belfast, Antrim and Ulster.
But the now derelict stadium is under opposition from residence in the area, who don’t want the redevelopment plans to go ahead.
At Owenvarragh Park, a few residents are not impressed with the plans as they fear
In 2014 — a year after the stadium was closed — the High Court quashed planning approval for the 38,000-seater development after opposition from the Mooreland and Owenvarragh Residents’ Association (MORA).
The planning application was re-structured in 2022 as they reduced the capacity to around 34,000.
It was approved by then-Department for Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon, MORA launched a challenge to the ruling.
But that investigation fell on flat ears in May 2022, when Mr Justice Humphreys ruled MORA’s challenge to the proposal were without merit.
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The community remain deeply divided about the plans to redevelop the stadium.
Speaking with the Belfast Telegraph, a number are concerned it will overshadow their houses.
One resident said: “It’s going to come about. It was inevitable it was going to happen”
“There are too many interested parties, especially political parties, who want to get it built and put their names to being the ones who got it built.
“I’ve lived here 35 years. This was my aunt’s house and we build this in her back garden. My father lived here before that.
“It’s going to overshadow my front garden – my back garden – the windows around the back, so it’s going to be a disaster for me.”
MAKE IT HAPPEN
Another resident on the opposite side of the abandoned stadium reckons the proposed redevelopment is a huge boost for the community.
She said the development will revitalise the area: “Can’t happen quickly enough”.
“It’s absolutely fantastic. It will bring so much employment and activity to the road.
“Businesses just think it’s great. There’s no real negative to it. Yes, there will be a wee bit of inconvenience while it’s being built, but you’ll get that anyway.
“I’m born and reared here and I’ve no issue with it whatsoever. There are only – maybe – a dozen times a year when it’s going to be full.”
Recently during a Northern Ireland European Qualifiers 2024 at Windsor Park, a section of the supporters made clear their feelings on playing matches at a newly developed Casement Park.
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A banner read: “No Casement.”
In March 2023 the GAA announced that, if redeveloped as proposed, it would give special permission under Rule 42 for Casement Park to be included in the winning joint-UK & Ireland bid to host the Euro 2028.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
