A proposed design for a new provincial stadium at Casement Park
The Irish FA remain ‘confident’ that the new Casement Park will be completed in time for Northern Ireland to co-host the 2028 European Championship finals.
At the beginning of a make or break year for UEFA to stick with Euro 2028 games being played here, the Belfast Telegraph can reveal to that end a group called the Northern Ireland Oversight Committee has been formed consisting of IFA, GAA and government partners.
The group was put together at the end of 2023 and tasked with meeting on a monthly basis to ensure that all aspects of the project are on track.
The construction of a ‘new’ 34,500 capacity Casement Park has been beset by problems for over a decade with delays due to legal challenges and since it was announced that the GAA stadium would be one of 10 venues for Euro 2028 fixtures in the UK and Ireland controversy has raged with many Northern Ireland fans slamming the IFA and voicing their disapproval of the team playing games at the west Belfast ground.
This year IFA Chief Executive Patrick Nelson and President Conrad Kirkwood plan to meet fans across the country to answer questions on Casement Park and other issues having held a first Q and A session with members of the Kilkeel Northern Ireland Supporters Club in November.
While the IFA attempt to get fans onside, the GAA need to appoint a new contractor so work can start on the stadium this year which is considered a priority if it is to be built in time for the Euro 2028 tournament.
In 2013 it was agreed that Casement would be constructed by the England-based Buckingham Group and the Northern Ireland firm Heron Bros but the Buckingham Group went into administration in September.
Two months later
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