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

[haranguerer]

Most gaa grounds have far too high a capacity, including croker. Any stadium is devoid of atmosphere unless its full or close to it, and it has a negative impact on the games and experience.

There is no need for a 38k capacity venue - as stated, with that capacity, its primary use will be (and is intended to be) a concert venue generating income for the gaa.

Develop a top class ground, with facilities to nurture the game and importantly in a divided city, the promotion of it (we may scoff at corporate entertainment, but the rugger gleans a big following from coporate events on friday night, all of which promote the game to an audience who otherwise wouldnt be involved - this is much more important for gaa than it is for rugby) but 20k capacity is plenty, forget about turning it into another white elephant.

It was being developed as a provincial stadium thats why they had so large a capacity, wasn't Antrim saying they'll fill it out every week but Ulster GAA to host Ulster Finals

There's only one ulster final a year (and it doesn't always sell out). The GAA seem to be the only body I know of that aim their stadium capacity at the largest crowd they can attract, rather than the average crowd they will attract

[Franko]

Love the way one of the Antrim defenders is all set to clatter the goalpost for some reason.

And the lack of helmets.

[armaghniac]

There's only one ulster final a year (and it doesn't always sell out). The GAA seem to be the only body I know of that aim their stadium capacity at the largest crowd they can attract, rather than the average crowd they will attract

The ability for people to go to games is one strength of the GAA, so that it represents the community and not just a select cult.
The 32,000 for Casement is appropriate, just get on with it. 

[haranguerer]

So room for every man woman and child in case they ever decide to attend a game. Seems reasonable

[Jinxy]

The problem with stadiums in the GAA is that logic goes out the window.
If the process was managed centrally & strategically, and you could start all over again, there would only be one stadium in every province with a capacity in excess of 40,000, which would host ALL provincial finals.
Each county would have a modern county ground with a capacity of 10-25,000, depending on population size.

[armaghniac]

The problem with stadiums in the GAA is that logic goes out the window.
If the process was managed centrally & strategically, and you could start all over again, there would only be one stadium in every province with a capacity in excess of 40,000, which would host ALL provincial finals.
Each county would have a modern county ground with a capacity of 10-25,000, depending on population size.

Ulster is getting there, Pairc Esler, Athletic Grounds, Healy Park etc are pretty suitable grounds of capacity 17,000 or so and this project would be a bigger stadium for the whole province.

So room for every man woman and child in case they ever decide to attend a game. Seems reasonable

Where did I say that?

[Rossfan]

The problem with stadiums in the GAA is that logic goes out the window.
If the process was managed centrally & strategically, and you could start all over again, there would only be one stadium in every province with a capacity in excess of 40,000, which would host ALL provincial finals.
Each county would have a modern county ground with a capacity of 10-25,000, depending on population size.

Munster alone has 4 big ones.

[Jinxy]

The problem with stadiums in the GAA is that logic goes out the window.
If the process was managed centrally & strategically, and you could start all over again, there would only be one stadium in every province with a capacity in excess of 40,000, which would host ALL provincial finals.
Each county would have a modern county ground with a capacity of 10-25,000, depending on population size.

Ulster is getting there, Pairc Esler, Athletic Grounds, Healy Park etc are pretty suitable grounds of capacity 17,000 or so and this project would be a bigger stadium for the whole province.

So room for every man woman and child in case they ever decide to attend a game. Seems reasonable

Where did I say that?

You already have Clones though.

[armaghniac]

The problem with stadiums in the GAA is that logic goes out the window.
If the process was managed centrally & strategically, and you could start all over again, there would only be one stadium in every province with a capacity in excess of 40,000, which would host ALL provincial finals.
Each county would have a modern county ground with a capacity of 10-25,000, depending on population size.

Ulster is getting there, Pairc Esler, Athletic Grounds, Healy Park etc are pretty suitable grounds of capacity 17,000 or so and this project would be a bigger stadium for the whole province.

So room for every man woman and child in case they ever decide to attend a game. Seems reasonable

Where did I say that?

You already have Clones though.

I'd favour renovating Clones.

[five points]

I'd favour renovating Clones.

Needs more than renovations. The cage they call the Hill is a death trap.

[NAG1]

The problem with stadiums in the GAA is that logic goes out the window.
If the process was managed centrally & strategically, and you could start all over again, there would only be one stadium in every province with a capacity in excess of 40,000, which would host ALL provincial finals.
Each county would have a modern county ground with a capacity of 10-25,000, depending on population size.

Ulster is getting there, Pairc Esler, Athletic Grounds, Healy Park etc are pretty suitable grounds of capacity 17,000 or so and this project would be a bigger stadium for the whole province.

So room for every man woman and child in case they ever decide to attend a game. Seems reasonable

Where did I say that?

You already have Clones though.

Lads seriously do a bit of research or at least go back through the thread to get the facts around this whole saga.

The money is coming from the UK government for the stadium project. Clones is in the south so therefore is definitely not an option.

The fact is, that it is going to be this Casement project or nothing. It's not up for negotiation as to where this project is going, infact its not really up for negotiation the size of the stadium either. Ulster GAA have stipulated what they want size wise and it is now a matter of them getting as close to that as the local residents and planning authorities will allow.

All this talk of smaller stadiums or county grounds else where is detracting from the story of how we got to this mess, with Antrim's home. Not Ulster GAA's home, the people of Antrim who have  cherished Casement for years have been left with this for various reasons, none of which shine a great light on those involved.

But for commentators and people who should know better to keep going over these pointless arguments only muddys the water further.

[Kickham csc]

The problem with stadiums in the GAA is that logic goes out the window.
If the process was managed centrally & strategically, and you could start all over again, there would only be one stadium in every province with a capacity in excess of 40,000, which would host ALL provincial finals.
Each county would have a modern county ground with a capacity of 10-25,000, depending on population size.

Ulster is getting there, Pairc Esler, Athletic Grounds, Healy Park etc are pretty suitable grounds of capacity 17,000 or so and this project would be a bigger stadium for the whole province.

So room for every man woman and child in case they ever decide to attend a game. Seems reasonable

Where did I say that?

You already have Clones though.

Just tough if you come from the northern end of the province.

Ulster should have two.

Used to have 3, Omagh, Casement and Clones.

If you talk to anyone who attended the Ulster finals in the 60's in Casement, especially Armagh / Down finals, they'll tell you that the atmosphere was great.

Just build it

[Milltown Row2]

The problem with stadiums in the GAA is that logic goes out the window.
If the process was managed centrally & strategically, and you could start all over again, there would only be one stadium in every province with a capacity in excess of 40,000, which would host ALL provincial finals.
Each county would have a modern county ground with a capacity of 10-25,000, depending on population size.

Ulster is getting there, Pairc Esler, Athletic Grounds, Healy Park etc are pretty suitable grounds of capacity 17,000 or so and this project would be a bigger stadium for the whole province.

So room for every man woman and child in case they ever decide to attend a game. Seems reasonable

Where did I say that?

You already have Clones though.

Lads seriously do a bit of research or at least go back through the thread to get the facts around this whole saga.

The money is coming from the UK government for the stadium project. Clones is in the south so therefore is definitely not an option.

The fact is, that it is going to be this Casement project or nothing. It's not up for negotiation as to where this project is going, infact its not really up for negotiation the size of the stadium either. Ulster GAA have stipulated what they want size wise and it is now a matter of them getting as close to that as the local residents and planning authorities will allow.

All this talk of smaller stadiums or county grounds else where is detracting from the story of how we got to this mess, with Antrim's home. Not Ulster GAA's home, the people of Antrim who have  cherished Casement for years have been left with this for various reasons, none of which shine a great light on those involved.

But for commentators and people who should know better to keep going over these pointless arguments only muddys the water further.

Completely getting bored of the 'other ideas' that can't be brought in unless the Government change their tune. not the Ulster council

[Jinxy]

The problem with stadiums in the GAA is that logic goes out the window.
If the process was managed centrally & strategically, and you could start all over again, there would only be one stadium in every province with a capacity in excess of 40,000, which would host ALL provincial finals.
Each county would have a modern county ground with a capacity of 10-25,000, depending on population size.

Ulster is getting there, Pairc Esler, Athletic Grounds, Healy Park etc are pretty suitable grounds of capacity 17,000 or so and this project would be a bigger stadium for the whole province.

So room for every man woman and child in case they ever decide to attend a game. Seems reasonable

Where did I say that?

You already have Clones though.

Just tough if you come from the northern end of the province.

Ulster should have two.

Used to have 3, Omagh, Casement and Clones.

If you talk to anyone who attended the Ulster finals in the 60's in Casement, especially Armagh / Down finals, they'll tell you that the atmosphere was great.

Just build it

I appreciate that 'we are where we are', but objectively speaking, one modern large capacity stadium is sufficient for every province.
The geographical location, distance for some people to travel etc. is a minor consideration.
It's a small country, with a small number of games at provincial level that would merit using the provincial ground to begin with.
The journey to and from the game is part of the day.
People used to cycle over 100 miles to games without complaint, so a bit of a drive once in a blue moon is no great hardship.

[NAG1]

The problem with stadiums in the GAA is that logic goes out the window.
If the process was managed centrally & strategically, and you could start all over again, there would only be one stadium in every province with a capacity in excess of 40,000, which would host ALL provincial finals.
Each county would have a modern county ground with a capacity of 10-25,000, depending on population size.

Ulster is getting there, Pairc Esler, Athletic Grounds, Healy Park etc are pretty suitable grounds of capacity 17,000 or so and this project would be a bigger stadium for the whole province.

So room for every man woman and child in case they ever decide to attend a game. Seems reasonable

Where did I say that?

You already have Clones though.

Lads seriously do a bit of research or at least go back through the thread to get the facts around this whole saga.

The money is coming from the UK government for the stadium project. Clones is in the south so therefore is definitely not an option.

The fact is, that it is going to be this Casement project or nothing. It's not up for negotiation as to where this project is going, infact its not really up for negotiation the size of the stadium either. Ulster GAA have stipulated what they want size wise and it is now a matter of them getting as close to that as the local residents and planning authorities will allow.

All this talk of smaller stadiums or county grounds else where is detracting from the story of how we got to this mess, with Antrim's home. Not Ulster GAA's home, the people of Antrim who have  cherished Casement for years have been left with this for various reasons, none of which shine a great light on those involved.

But for commentators and people who should know better to keep going over these pointless arguments only muddys the water further.

Completely getting bored of the 'other ideas' that can't be brought in unless the Government change their tune. not the Ulster council

While I sort of agree with you, there are a couple of points. I don't know how it can be said that the size of the stadium isn't up for negotiation. Of course it can be.
Secondly, although unlikely an upgrade of Clones isn't exactly out of the question in relation to the funding of the Casement project, I don't think. £77 million is the entire funding for the project. As far as I'm aware, only £62 million of this can't be spent outside the north. The GAA are staking the other £15 million. This could be used to upgrade Clones.
Unlikely to happen and I have no idea what could be done with £15 million but maybe this is what people are asking to be done.

HS my point is that the stadium size while not fixed at the moment, is not going to be negotiated from 32k odd to the 10/15k that is being muted here. It may fluctuate slightly depending on future agreements.

The £15m being staked by Ulster GAA is as far as I am aware their contribution to the project, if the project does not happen then of course they could use this £15m however they see fit including upgrading Clones. My point is the vast majority of the money available to make Casement happen is coming from Govt and this can only be used for this specific project as it stands.