Following the news today that the decision to approve the redevelopment of Casement Park into a modern all seater stadium will be decided at a later date where does Ulster GAA if they lose the decision to build. I beliece Ulster deserves a stadium fit to hold Ulster finals and other big games in a stadium which has modern facilities which whilst smaller is on a par with cork new stadium and Croke Park. I completly agree that the GAA should not abandon Casement however the responsibility and funding should be handed back to Antrim GAA to manage and apply for a smaller stadium for their use. The flagship stadium with all its approved funding should be built elsewhere in the province such as Ballygawley, Omagh or even because of its easy access Armagh City. And whilst Clones has been brillaint it should not get funding to build flagship stadium, it is time to move on. What does people think ?

sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 999 - 14/10/2014 15:41:24    1663580

This is getting a bit farcical at this stage, one argument was that Casement hasn't been full to its present capacity in years, the reason for this is simple, big games weren't fixed there because it's not fit for purpose, once redeveloped it's inevitable that games will be fixed there that will reach or come close to reaching the new capacity yet this didn't seem to be outlined in the case by the lawyers concerned!! One would hope that the judge will come to his decision one way or another very soon as money is going down the drain at the minute due to the present delays, it's hard to contemplate not being able to redevelop Casement where it is when both Croke Park and Pairc Ui Chaoimh could be redeveloped in their respective locations, if it is turned down the money is apparently gone and where Ulster Council would go from there I don't know as the scope for redeveloping Clones into a bigger capacity with improved facilities seems limited, the only other ground with the potential scope for such redevelopment and improvement is Breffini Park which in fairness location wise for all wouldn't be too bad, doubt the Cavan boys would mind extra revenue coming to their town for an Ulster Final

Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3734 - 14/10/2014 16:36:39    1663622

I agree it is farcical at this stage. I do not believe the money will be gone though, it may be short term but with Windsor and Ravenhill being developed the GAA would receive the funding again as soon as they identified a suitable site. However here is hoping Casement gets the green light it would be a fantastic development.

sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 999 - 14/10/2014 17:37:14    1663654

Go for it Gary, heres your favourite topic!

bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts: 1852 - 15/10/2014 10:35:11    1663837

The scope for redeveloping Clones is far from being limited. It would only take about 5M to bring it's capacity well over the 40,000 mark including improved facilities. In fact, you could easily increase the capacity of Clones to over 50,000 as there is so much room at the current stadium for redevelopment. However, the powers that be have other notions about their vanity project which are at odds to the views of most Ulster gaels.

drumlinbelt (Monaghan) - Posts: 179 - 15/10/2014 11:09:40    1663851

drumlinbelt

Clones cant even cope with its current capacity, the roads in and out are dreadful with tailbacks before and after games, parking is a nightmare as well. You would need to reinvent the whole town and infastructure in order for it to cope.

SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2385 - 15/10/2014 11:32:41    1663855

And of you're course speaking form a purely neutral point of view drumlin.

bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts: 1852 - 15/10/2014 11:32:55    1663856

Lets try that again!

And of course you're speaking form a purely neutral point of view drumlin.

bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts: 1852 - 15/10/2014 11:36:38    1663858

I think the Casement redevelopment is should go ahead. Belfast is Ireland's second city and has always been under funded and under developed by the GAA. I can't understand how the people of West Belfast are not fighting for the new stadium and all the financial spin offs it will provide to that community which is always last in the queue when it comes to big infrastructure projects. The loudest voices are those opposed who are hoping for a compensation payout. I think if you buy a home close to somewhere like Casement Park you have to assume a project like this may happen.
If the Casement plans are rejected the funding may disappear which would be a huge own goal for the GAA and the wider community in West Belfast. If however the project is still viable it should be taken out of Belfast and moved to somewhere more central. The funding is for Ulster GAA, not Antrim GAA and if the people there want to pass up the chance of getting a modern sports stadium for free, then they should leave Casement Park exactly how it is for them and move the project. I'm sure there are many communities in Mid Ulster who would give their right arm to have it. You have a good central location with good roads infrastructure around the Dungannon area right through to Ballygawley and that would be the best location for any potential new stadium if Belfast pass up the chance. Clones has a more than adequate ground for its location and road links already. It would not make sense to pour 70 or 80 million into a location like this. Same goes for Breffni Park which is hardly very central in Ulster.

johnboy7 (Tyrone) - Posts: 79 - 15/10/2014 11:46:57    1663864

The funding is for Ulster GAA, not Antrim GAA and if the people there want to pass up the chance of getting a modern sports stadium for free, then they should leave Casement Park exactly how it is for them and move the project.

Johnboy - it should be made very clear that neither Antrim GAA nor most right thinking Antrim Gaels are against this project. As you say, there are always ones with an agenda and although they are the most vocal and have brought this case to Court the majority of people want this to go ahead. I would also say that there is a silent majority around W Belfast who are for this given the economic boost it will give the area but like we seen with Mssr Brooks all it takes is a few people to put a spanner in the works.

Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 15/10/2014 11:54:58    1663869

bumpernut : A neutral point of view say an Antrim poster !!!, what a laugh. Everything that you perceived Clones to be with it's issues can easily be thrown back at Belfast ten times over. I have yet to go to a game there which has over 15K people and it wasn't delayed for half an hour such was the traffic chaos. Tell me, where do you intend on parking the Ulster Gales ??, I hear it's five mile from the pitch !!.

drumlinbelt (Monaghan) - Posts: 179 - 15/10/2014 11:57:26    1663871

This project, as I see it is based around funding of around 60 million pounds from the British government, without this there is no project. I would imagine the money was secured on the back of building a stadium in the largest population centre in Ulster which currently doesn't have a fit for purpose ground, or somewhere else in the 6 counties at least. They are hardly going to pour that money into a venue in a small town in Monaghan.

johnboy7 (Tyrone) - Posts: 79 - 15/10/2014 12:10:05    1663878

drumlinbelt

well we have a motorway with several exits in comparison with a country road with the only other exits being into a field. There are several parking areas if you know the area well enough and yes there will be work needed if a new stadium is to be built but the leisure centre is part of the redevelopment and will accomodate parking as well as a direct lane to the motorway to avoid Kennedy Way. This development is will serve the city in general as well as convenience to the whole of the province as it is straight motorway from north or south. Btw the reason why you only see 15k attendances is because its usualy only the first round of the Ulster championship played there...that is if the mighty saffrons get a home draw! the Ulster semi finals are rarely in Belfast and the final never, sad but true!

SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2385 - 15/10/2014 12:15:40    1663881

drumlinbelt
County: Monaghan
Posts: 144

1663871
bumpernut : A neutral point of view say an Antrim poster !!!, what a laugh. Everything that you perceived Clones to be with it's issues can easily be thrown back at Belfast ten times over. I have yet to go to a game there which has over 15K people and it wasn't delayed for half an hour such was the traffic chaos. Tell me, where do you intend on parking the Ulster Gales ??, I hear it's five mile from the pitch !!.

Ulster Gales?

Prevailing north easterly?

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13707 - 15/10/2014 12:24:16    1663887

A very tight decision between Salthill and Clones as the worst places I've ever been in terms of getting to of after with traffic.

Salthill a nicer place to get stuck in though.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13707 - 15/10/2014 12:25:34    1663889

drumlinbelt - I have many relations in Cavan as my Grandfather was from there and they always said they could be back home from a match in Casement before they could be home from a game in Clones. And with regards to the parking being 5 miles away - somebody obviously seen you coming if they got you to park that distance from the park when there is plenty of places to park in and around the ground and if you can't get there then there is a car park 500m from the turnstiles.

Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 15/10/2014 12:36:25    1663892

Prevailing north easterly?

Ha - just full of hot air

Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 15/10/2014 12:38:07    1663893

Drumlitbelt... I have been attending Clones for near 20 years and have had some magical days in that great place. However the development of Croke Park, attendence at sporting events around the world really makes you acknowledge that people want comfort, cleaniness and safety from facilities at events. Clones is now a concrete arena with very little of what people now expect. As for the town itself well..... it has character but it simply cannot cope currently. People do not want squeezed into side streets or pubs etc, not everybody is 20 something looking a drink in beer gardens or get a bus to the match. They want somewhere to park, eat and exit the area within a reasonable time scale whilst watching the match in comfort. Clones has had its day and sadly I disagree with you I think most Ulster GAA people now want a new state of the art stadium and it will happen either in Casement or most likely South Tyrone area if Casement does not get go ahead.

sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 999 - 15/10/2014 12:42:07    1663894

Reading these posts I could not help thinking that all places mention try their best to facilitate parking on big match Day.Worst is around Croke Park area where Dublin City Council make no bones about not wanting people to bring cars to the Capital city.

Ashrules (Dublin) - Posts: 518 - 15/10/2014 12:49:39    1663897

Ashrules - 100%
People complain about parking and having to walk for 20 mins to get to the pitch at Clones but think nothing of it in Dublin. I have been attending matches in Clones for year and you expect the walk and the parking. There is also facilities provided close to the ground for people with disabilities to prevent the walk.

Casement will be no better in regards to parking. With no additional supporters parking included in the development proposals it will mean parking in neighbouring areas and walking the same distance to the ground.

I think the players and supporters in Ulster deserve a facility in keeping with best standards but I also think that this POLITICAL decision to have it in Casement is a farce. The decision to spend the money on Casement was taken purely on political grounds with no consultation with the 9 county boards that make up Ulster. Having the money is great but the decision on how and where to spend it should have started with consultation of the various county boards leading to a decision on preferences of location. If Casement is the popular and practical choice after this then so be it but as it was chosen in the way it was I hope the whole thing falls on its face!!

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1671 - 15/10/2014 13:28:50    1663918