‘Button it’: Fianna Fáil Senator insists Northern Irish critics of Casement Park project ‘should know better’

Senator Shane Cassells

Fianna Fáil Senator Shane Cassells has described Northern Irish objections to the Casement Park project as “dangerous” and “depressing” and strongly criticised ex-Northern Ireland goalkeeper Alan Mannus for joining the chorus of critics.

Cassells raised the matter in the Seanad today after a section of Northern Ireland fans used last night’s Euro qualifier with Denmark to openly object to the use of a renovated Casement Park in Euro 2028.

The matter has become a major talking point in Northern Ireland with members of the football community prominent in flagging concerns that government funding will be used to finish a stadium that will be a GAA venue when the competition ends.

This followed on from a political debate split across party lines - the DUP have come out strongly against the use of public funds for the west Belfast stadium whereas nationalist and Alliance politicians are in favour of it.

Casement has been stalled for some time with Leo Varadkar asserting that the Irish government will join their UK government counterparts in getting the project over the line with the cost estimated to have spiralled to the £168m mark. The GAA have indicated an unwillingness to expand on their £15m outlay.

Belfast-based ex-Northern Ireland international netminder Mannus – who now works for the IFA – stated a preference for the use of Windsor Park which falls well short of the 30,000 threshold for consideration.

The Belfast Telegraph reported last week that the IFA held a staff meeting due to split opinions that exist within their workforce.

As it stands, a completed Casement Park is the only avenue for Northern Ireland to host games but former Shamrock Rovers keeper Mannus raised questions about whether