Casement Park in line for major overhaul - 40,000 all seater Stadium.

[imtommygunn]

I objectively stated that those are the crowds we get.

And can never increase ever or try to grow the game there? That's a low bar you're holding there

I objectively stated that those are the crowds we get.

2 and 2 don't equal 5. Build a stadium in between the two sizes.

[FermPundit]

I know so many Antrim Gaels who have absolutely no interest in the county teams and it's all about their own individual clubs. I'm not sure how the redeveloping of Casement Park will change this mindset. In Fermanagh we all like to see our own clubs do well but ultimately it's all about the county teams and being the best we can.

[imtommygunn]

At fermanagh antrim last year I thought there were probably mroe fermanagh fans. (in corrigan).

A big stadium might produce some life who knows and tbf I think for antrim standards we are doing not too bad at the minute. Probably need some success on the field too.

Don't get me wrong I'd love a new big casement- I loved it growing up. The cost of it and the ownership of it have to be questioned. It isn't our stadium if it's built.

[trailer]

One argument everyone seems to miss is that Ulster Rugby is a professional organisation. IFA / Linfield professional organisations. The GAA is a volunteer charity organisation. Casement money should be a reflection of all the unpaid volunteer hours that thousands of people commit every year, year on year to communities and children across Ulster and NI.

This is a key difference to all the other comparisons that are made and of course an effective rebuttal to the assertion that my attitude is the same as some sectarian DUP SPADs and RHI.

Soccer is working class on the island. It has less social capital than GAA and rugby. It is the poor relation

Why do you make me read such shit. Poor relation. f**k off. The sport is awash with millions of euros. Like McIlroy says Get f**king better.

[FermPundit]

At fermanagh antrim last year I thought there were probably mroe fermanagh fans. (in corrigan).

A big stadium might produce some life who knows and tbf I think for antrim standards we are doing not too bad at the minute. Probably need some success on the field too.

Don't get me wrong I'd love a new big casement- I loved it growing up. The cost of it and the ownership of it have to be questioned. It isn't our stadium if it's built.

All the Fermanagh people, like me, who have been exiled to greater Belfast!!

[Dreadnought]

I objectively stated that those are the crowds we get.

And can never increase ever or try to grow the game there? That's a low bar you're holding there

I objectively stated that those are the crowds we get.

2 and 2 don't equal 5. Build a stadium in between the two sizes.

But then it can't hold Euro games

[6th sam]

I think the GAA need to think of the long game. The minimum for euros is 30000 seating capacity. GAA could add in 4000 standing to accommodate that standing criteria fir our own games.
I hope the design involves stands steep and as close as safely possible to the pitch , to optimise atmosphere. I think the first tier should be compact and accommodate corporate and standing to optimise atmosphere when crowds smaller . Most matches in casement will be less than 5000 supporters so that should be concentrated , as sparse crowds in big stadia ie Croke park or Páirc UI chaoimh lack atmosphere and are bad PR.
34000 will be expected for ulster final and all ireland quarters and semi, For occasional rugby and soccer games. There would be several concert opportunities not only as belfast is Ireland's second biggest city with nearly 2 million population within just over an hour, and it's already the  second most popular concert venue on the island. Add in the proximity to rail and motorway it'll be a perfect conference venue , with entrepreneurs already looking at new hotel opportunities and already casement is well served by the city centre-andytown public transport route .
Euros has presented an extra incentive and  finance.
The nonsense about NHS needing it more doesn't stand up. Apart from the direct tax revenue, the boost to the economy and self esteem of west belfast will easily claw back the initial government payments .
We already have a precedent here, The tax revenue and economic boost from Croke park has paid ROI government back in droves.

If the DUP and TuV are against it that should tell u all you need to know . They fear what it could do for the community

[Orior]

On Wednesday, Stephen Nolan had three people on his television show discussing Casement Park. None of the three were in any way associated GAA. Indeed, one of the three was from the TUV (not Jim Alister) and had to keep reading his notes before talking.

On Thursday evening Mark Carruthers also discussed Casement Park and had commentators including one actual gaelic football journalist.

[Sportacus]

Very rare you get big crowds for antrim games. 3500 probably would be a big crowd. The biggest football crowds tend to be for other ulster teams as a load of ones from other counties live in Belfast. The hurling might attract a bit more but even at that 3500 still a stretch.

So that can't be changed? Antrim is a county that can be tapped if tried. And part of that is having somewhere you can bring new fans, or returning ones.

Unfortunately the sad reality is that Antrim lost its home and the Ulster Council will be the key holder. 

Antrim is common currency as one of the big benefits, but before we buy that one, I'd love to see a written commitment on Antrim GAA's access to the pitch. I'm assuming an Ulster Championship game every few seasons is a given, but is there any hard commitment for club games, or even national league?  Too many people assuming that's a given - be nice if the Ulster Council would confirm that. Maybe I've missed it.

[Saffrongael]

Very rare you get big crowds for antrim games. 3500 probably would be a big crowd. The biggest football crowds tend to be for other ulster teams as a load of ones from other counties live in Belfast. The hurling might attract a bit more but even at that 3500 still a stretch.

So that can't be changed? Antrim is a county that can be tapped if tried. And part of that is having somewhere you can bring new fans, or returning ones.

Unfortunately the sad reality is that Antrim lost its home and the Ulster Council will be the key holder. 

Antrim is common currency as one of the big benefits, but before we buy that one, I'd love to see a written commitment on Antrim GAA's access to the pitch. I'm assuming an Ulster Championship game every few seasons is a given, but is there any hard commitment for club games, or even national league?  Too many people assuming that's a given - be nice if the Ulster Council would confirm that. Maybe I've missed it.

You haven't

[weareros]

On Wednesday, Stephen Nolan had three people on his television show discussing Casement Park. None of the three were in any way associated GAA. Indeed, one of the three was from the TUV (not Jim Alister) and had to keep reading his notes before talking.

On Thursday evening Mark Carruthers also discussed Casement Park and had commentators including one actual gaelic football journalist.

Caruthers had a much higher quality discussion with even the former DUP minister Simon Hamilton spoke in favour. Nolan not happy until he is ramping up the sectarianism. BBC has a lot to answer for.

[seafoid]

Steve Aiken and Matthew O'Toole on Casement
 https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/22358394/

[RadioGAAGAA]

There were 3.5k in Páirc Uí Chaoimh last Saturday for Cork v Cavan and it looked absolutely awful. Would Antrim draw a bigger crowd for a league game in either either code? Corrigan Park is more than adequate. 

Don't bother with sense in this thread.

Its full of lunatics that think the white elephant will somehow attract people in with absolutely no historical evidence to back that up.

The same lunatics think this money will magically fall from the money tree, and won't affect other government funded services elsewhere.

Somehow most of them think the GAA deserve to have their funding doubled or trebled from what it was, despite the farce that took us to where we are being wholly the fault of the Ulster Council and their appointees.

[Dreadnought]

There were 3.5k in Páirc Uí Chaoimh last Saturday for Cork v Cavan and it looked absolutely awful. Would Antrim draw a bigger crowd for a league game in either either code? Corrigan Park is more than adequate. 

Don't bother with sense in this thread.

Its full of lunatics that think the white elephant will somehow attract people in with absolutely no historical evidence to back that up.

The same lunatics think this money will magically fall from the money tree, and won't affect other government funded services elsewhere.

Somehow most of them think the GAA deserve to have their funding doubled or trebled from what it was, despite the farce that took us to where we are being wholly the fault of the Ulster Council and their appointees.

Alright then non lunatic. What's your grand plan? Corrigan Park forever?

[Duine Inteacht Eile]

Very rare you get big crowds for antrim games. 3500 probably would be a big crowd. The biggest football crowds tend to be for other ulster teams as a load of ones from other counties live in Belfast. The hurling might attract a bit more but even at that 3500 still a stretch.

So that can't be changed? Antrim is a county that can be tapped if tried. And part of that is having somewhere you can bring new fans, or returning ones.

I like the thinking. With the grace of God Antrim will require a stadium of this size and this will look like superb forward planning.
Alternatively, though, the number crunching on this stadium as a sports venue is hanging its hat on two things. Euro 2028 and Ulster finals.

Will either exist in 2029?

I'm happy for you to point at one (unlikely) future scenario but you also have to seriously consider the future of the events that we are building this for.