Messages

[As for Casement, it was really shoddily handled by a lot of people, some have rode off into the sunset and a certain Ryan from the Ulster council and a curly haired SF MLA need to take a lot of the blame for trying to push through a totally over the top stadium in an area it was totally unsuitable for.]

The GAA has a centralised command structure even moreso now since the debacle of Páirc Uí Chaoimh and with that every single deed of every single GAA property resides with Croke Park.

You can't do shit to your property if you're taking out loans without CP or Ulster Council approval, especially government grants.

Even the trustees for each club will include the county secretary and the provincial secretary.

As for Casement, it was really shoddily handled by a lot of people, some have rode off into the sunset and a certain Ryan from the Ulster council and a curly haired SF MLA need to take a lot of the blame for trying to push through a totally over the top stadium in an area it was totally unsuitable for.
The residents have probably did everyone a favour as their objections and delays ended up with the H&S issue coming to light.
Deciding to try and use a pathway down to the Kennedy way roundabout as one of the main routes out of the stadium was hardly a flyer.
We can blame unionist intransigence all we like and that didn't help get those listed above out of this mess of their own making but it's not the main reason the place is still a building site almost 20 years later.

" When the Axe came into the woods, many of the trees said, At least he's one of Us" , well said JC the list would be long and distinguished.

Pretty much spot on. And was anyone ever held to account? Nope. Our reps continued as nodding dogs, year after year after year.
We actually managed to free ourselves from those major decision makers, only to bring them straight back in in a different role. Sometimes ya get what ya deserve.

No one mentioning the political involvement, the virtue signalling has begun early ahead of next May, who's holding them to account for their role in all this?  So have we really freed ourselves from the real major decision makers? However I do concur with you, ya do da get what ya deserve.

So who's to blame for Casement Park?

Ulster council took it from Antrim and ran this..

Antrim we're at fault for handing it over but this fuckup lies at the door of the Ulster council

Surprised at you MR2, a lot of Misinformation, Echo Chambers and Propaganda! Trumpism reigns, Ulster is definitely not on its own here, and I see a lot of social media blaming the residents, they didn't design it !

Hoisted by there own Petard, Up the shamrocks !

Have Aldergrove any ambitions to improve that facility or look for a new site?
If you ever needed an understudy of the problems within our county surly an area like Crumlin is a good starting point.
Massive potential in that town but from the outside looking in they seem to be massively under achieving.
Modern facilities would be a good starting point ,not trying to take away from anybody trying within the club either BTW.

Fair assessment.There are things going on behind the scenes regarding facilities. Funding being the usual stumbling block, as it is for most clubs. Some really great Gaels dedicating time and effort which can seem thankless at times. Again, same for most clubs. There's no doubting the pitch and facilities are not helping.

Whilst there is a growing population, many are only half an hour away from Belfast and take their kids to their own clubs which is understandable. Throw in the usual other issues such as competing with soccer, drink, drugs, exams, studying in GB it can be difficult to retain and/or progress players.

All that said, there is progress being made. Decent league campaign struggling a little since back end of the campaign. Team has a few excellent players, but in contrast to other Division 1 teams just not enough. The step up to Division 1 is huge.

Knowing some local gaels in the area, they say that the club maybe finalising an agreement with the church and its housing developer, however that may be a double edged sword in relation to what type of housing is planned as they have indicated that recent small developments have brought issues to the area, and how the wider community embrace those plans.

New operations manager role in the county whittled down to 2 supposedly, Masters Degree or Level 7 equivalent needed. Lets hope we get candidate's with a professional background in running organisations with strong experience in business & development! 

Being county secretary of any county throws up its problems, you'll never please everyone, with it being a paid job it also (for some reason) gives people a need to criticise them.

Hopefully Frankie enjoys his retirement and good luck to whoever follows him.

Wouldn't be a job I'd put my hand up for

What is going on in Antrim?

I hear Gaelfast is all but defunct, the better coaches have given up and left and now Frankie throws the towel in...

Love to see a breakdown as to where and how the funding was spent   

Not on Facebook MR, got more than enough addictions.

Pm me the link Bud.

When I'm on....it would be remiss not to bid farewell to Frankie Quinn on his last day officiating as An Runai of Coiste Contae Antroma. There would be a good book in Frankie at this stage. May he enjoy the next chapter of his career or retirement. Wouldn't have  been an easy gig!

Machiavellianism?

Tir Na Nog GAA have brought to market unique and exclusive Casement Park Memorabilia as part of club fundraising initiative

Check it out
https://tirnanoggaa.charityhive.co.uk/shop

Cracking Idea, after all when and whatever eventually gets built it won't be called Casement Park anymore so get them when ya can!

Zero impact.

We've been nowhere near it for over 50 years.

Perfectly summed up, your spot on!

How much are we spending on the Gaelfast project? And what are the time frames and mechanisms that the power that be are able to gauge whether or not its making good progress

Reason im asking, iv heard its been a shit show from a few parents. Alot of people also around the city are oblivious to the work being done, which is sad.

Agree with other posters, if antrim are serious about doing anything at senior level, they should be investing at THE LEAST, the same amount of money to their underage as the senior spend.

Them trips to portugal etc... a load of ballix, all for show. You could have taken that group to Bundoran and got more out of them

I would echo this, serious questions need to tabled by the clubs in relation to the Gaelfast funding, break it down and evidence to the clubs how its was spent!  How was the trip to Portugal paid for was it from sponsorship funding and why Portugal of all places?

[Antrim had a venue suitable to host it and were told to hand the keys over to the Ulster Council.]

Unpopular opinion, but I'm leaning towards Ulster GAA on this. Corrigan Park is not fit for purpose for an Ulster Championship match. Antrim have the opportunity to host the game, it is up to them to find a venue suitable.
This isn't like the Newbridge debacle a few years back which was an obvious cash grab.

Antrim had a venue suitable to host it and were told to hand the keys over to the Ulster Council. That project failed. If it's not Corrigan, take it to Ahoghill. Feck Ulster.

Not Factually Correct there SS

Bannside, the truth is you need to get real, no-one doubts your passion however Antrim presently carry no credibility/influence in the corridors of power, be that Ulster or Croker and the Casement debacle hasn't helped our cause.

What has happened to the major investment that we went into Gealfast ? What have been the Outcomes to date, any reports, stats, progress to date etc available and made public to the Clubs. Surely Questions need to asked?

Casement or whatever name its finally given as I doubt it will remain, as its public revenue being used and I would think some of our senior officials would have been aware of this for a long time. This will be a venue for everything and anything so long as its profitable and thats fair enough, but what revenue will Antrim GAA receive annually once it's opened thats the question that needs to be asked, and how do we plan to invest that going forward as i would hope that a robust Business case exists. We have lost the claim to the ground a long time ago, its not ours anymore so let's hope a good deal was negotiated back in the day.