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Casement Park

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Gary, Gary ,Gary...…... bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts: 1852 - 04/03/2020 10:37:14 2272130 Link
Replying To gilly1910: "Absolute joke building a stadium this size, why oh why do the GAA always insist on building stadiums that are far too big, and that rarely if ever get filled. As a few people on here have stated, build a a 10k stadium, and that will be more than sufficient for its purpose." Why is it a joke? Do we only build stadia if theyre packed to the rafters every week, is that the guide? bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts: 1852 - 04/03/2020 10:40:17 2272132 Link
Replying To KeshGFC: " Replying To Offside_Rule: "that location in Belfast can't safely take a larger crowd anyway.. I'll just leave this here for you: A panel of experts has unanimously backed spectator safety procedures in the redevelopment plan for Casement Park. The endorsement from the group comprising all the main emergency services comes more than three years after the former chair of the same body triggered a Stormont inquiry when he revealed his concerns about the ill-fated first design for the west Belfast venue. The Safety Technical Group (STG), which was set up to scrutinise plans to redevelop stadia in Northern Ireland, has verified steps taken by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) to ensure the proposed 34,000-plus capacity stadium could be evacuated safely, with emergency vehicles able to get appropriate access." after the last safety group was run, yeah absolute faith in THAT process and THAT body ....and I even kept a straight face typin that" All the safety aspects have been addressed and it will go ahead despite DFI officials dragging their heels. Planning service have one officer apparently working on the project, the application was submitted prior to the Belfast Transport Hub....work has since started on the Transport Hub There are political games being played here, in the main by unionist politicians who don't want it go ahead. The discussion about Queens University being a supposed cold house for unionists partly because nationalist students wear GAA tops illustrates their 'concern' for the wellbeing of those attending games there. bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts: 1852 - 04/03/2020 10:50:04 2272137 Link
Replying To KeshGFC: " Replying To Offside_Rule: "that location in Belfast can't safely take a larger crowd anyway.. I'll just leave this here for you: A panel of experts has unanimously backed spectator safety procedures in the redevelopment plan for Casement Park. The endorsement from the group comprising all the main emergency services comes more than three years after the former chair of the same body triggered a Stormont inquiry when he revealed his concerns about the ill-fated first design for the west Belfast venue. The Safety Technical Group (STG), which was set up to scrutinise plans to redevelop stadia in Northern Ireland, has verified steps taken by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) to ensure the proposed 34,000-plus capacity stadium could be evacuated safely, with emergency vehicles able to get appropriate access." after the last safety group was run, yeah absolute faith in THAT process and THAT body ....and I even kept a straight face typin that" Right well since you seem to be quite ignorant on a lot of what has gone on to date let me give you a brief overview. Safety report compiled back in 2015 - raised number of issues Issues raised proved to be unfounded when checked by Independent safety experts Issue of report gets raised in Stormont due to claims made in it Original writer of report disappears, review gets carried out again with minimal changes to original plan and suddenly everything is OK If you have been following the debate on here you would know that back in 2015 when the report was published I said that the claims made were not correct. That was way before it was raised in Stormont etc and I knew because I be speaking to one of the top men in one of the agencies that were involved - and it isn't someone connected on the Antrim/GAA side of the house. What you were seeing with the original report was, lets just say political. But you continue on with your agenda and believe that the original report is the one that we should have faith in and ignore the safety experts and emergency services. Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 04/03/2020 12:12:04 2272157 Link
Replying To bumpernut: " Replying To KeshGFC: "[quote=Offside_Rule: "that location in Belfast can't safely take a larger crowd anyway.. I'll just leave this here for you: A panel of experts has unanimously backed spectator safety procedures in the redevelopment plan for Casement Park. The endorsement from the group comprising all the main emergency services comes more than three years after the former chair of the same body triggered a Stormont inquiry when he revealed his concerns about the ill-fated first design for the west Belfast venue. The Safety Technical Group (STG), which was set up to scrutinise plans to redevelop stadia in Northern Ireland, has verified steps taken by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) to ensure the proposed 34,000-plus capacity stadium could be evacuated safely, with emergency vehicles able to get appropriate access." after the last safety group was run, yeah absolute faith in THAT process and THAT body ....and I even kept a straight face typin that" All the safety aspects have been addressed and it will go ahead despite DFI officials dragging their heels. Planning service have one officer apparently working on the project, the application was submitted prior to the Belfast Transport Hub....work has since started on the Transport Hub There are political games being played here, in the main by unionist politicians who don't want it go ahead. The discussion about Queens University being a supposed cold house for unionists partly because nationalist students wear GAA tops illustrates their 'concern' for the wellbeing of those attending games there."]FOMO .. others have their big shiny stadiums.. we should have ours too ??? Is that the thinking ?? Needed or not let's have a big shiny stadium ??? Sounds about the height of it ... how often does a 30k plus crowd attend ANY GAA event in ulster ?? Yet we need a second stadium in the Far East of the province .. a big white elephant that will only ever fill if Clones is demoted and left to slowly run down Look build what u need for Antrim Gaels .. get the heart / the headquarters of your games back .. at a scale that is appropriate.. something like Portlaoise would be perfect scale..... the proposed scale makes no sense ... KeshGFC (Fermanagh) - Posts: 334 - 04/03/2020 12:48:47 2272165 Link
Replying To gilly1910: "Absolute joke building a stadium this size, why oh why do the GAA always insist on building stadiums that are far too big, and that rarely if ever get filled. As a few people on here have stated, build a a 10k stadium, and that will be more than sufficient for its purpose." What is the point in building a stadium that can only hold 10k? A 10k stadium in Belfast is good for no one. It wont be full for Antrim games and it wont be big enough to hold Ulster finals, that would just defeat the purpose of building a flagship stadium in Ulster. This area of Belfast badly needs a lift and this stadium could kickstart a massive up turn for the area and the fortune of Antrim GAA. I hope to see it built as soon as possible. TakeyourPoint. (Tyrone) - Posts: 133 - 04/03/2020 13:48:54 2272182 Link
2 questions for people here who know alot more than me about Ulster GAA. Even taking in the sectarian divide in Antrim why are attendances so low that people on here think 10k would be enough for such a big county ? Is it about lack of success ? What is the current state of Clones for use as Ulster's flagship stadium ? I've never been but it looks pretty shabby on TV and pictures Breezy (Limerick) - Posts: 1236 - 04/03/2020 18:17:26 2272235 Link
Replying To TakeyourPoint.: "What is the point in building a stadium that can only hold 10k? A 10k stadium in Belfast is good for no one. It wont be full for Antrim games and it wont be big enough to hold Ulster finals, that would just defeat the purpose of building a flagship stadium in Ulster. This area of Belfast badly needs a lift and this stadium could kickstart a massive up turn for the area and the fortune of Antrim GAA. I hope to see it built as soon as possible." we have a flagship stadium that we've let run down and failed to upgrade while we play politics and look over the wall jealously in Belfast why do we need 2 and especially place 1 in a county that will never fill the stadium themselves, well not for the forseeable future KeshGFC (Fermanagh) - Posts: 334 - 05/03/2020 09:56:01 2272300 Link
Replying To Breezy: "2 questions for people here who know alot more than me about Ulster GAA. Even taking in the sectarian divide in Antrim why are attendances so low that people on here think 10k would be enough for such a big county ? Is it about lack of success ? What is the current state of Clones for use as Ulster's flagship stadium ? I've never been but it looks pretty shabby on TV and pictures" Yes breezy, it is due to a mixture of a lack of success and under investment - up until recently the 6 counties was a unionist dominated statelet and they never invested in anything remotely Irish (indeed the british army occupied and destroyed casement park at one stage). I honestly now believe that if the stadium was built and money was injected into grassroots especially in Hurling that success would come for Antrim as they have the playing numbers and supporters, big games in Casement would attract big attendances. I love Clones but it is getting very rundown, the atmosphere and history around Clones was special but perhaps it is time to move on to Casement. Tom1916 (Armagh) - Posts: 2001 - 05/03/2020 10:46:22 2272308 Link
Could someone from Ulster explain what are the objections/ problems to redeveloping Casement Park, as a GAA grounds in Belfast?. I saw that locals are objecting to the project, on what basis?. Casement Park was used for years without any problems, but it probably needs upgrading. thelongridge (Offaly) - Posts: 1735 - 05/03/2020 10:48:58 2272309 Link
All this stop start carry on and bull is surely to do with where it is located on the island. Nothing ever seems to go smoothly and there's always a ban or an objection to anything and everything. It would be great to see a proper modern stadium completed and hosting games but by jaysus you wouldn't be encouraged with how it's progressed so far. Absolutely crackpot stuff. catch22 (USA) - Posts: 2148 - 05/03/2020 12:11:39 2272323 Link
Replying To KeshGFC: "we have a flagship stadium that we've let run down and failed to upgrade while we play politics and look over the wall jealously in Belfast why do we need 2 and especially place 1 in a county that will never fill the stadium themselves, well not for the forseeable future" How is it look over the wall jealousy? There was an agreement, which involved all parties in Stormont to upgrade Ravenhill, Windsor and Casement at the same time. Its not a case of we want, what they got. All three stadiums needed to be upgraded badly. There are very few counties in Ireland that could fill a large stadium by themselves, Dublin are probably the only ones. Monaghan wouldnt have a hope in hell of filling Clones by themselves. I love going to games in Clones but love Belfast also, its a growing City and a proper GAA stadium in it will go a long way for the community there. TakeyourPoint. (Tyrone) - Posts: 133 - 05/03/2020 15:33:24 2272365 Link
Replying To thelongridge: "Could someone from Ulster explain what are the objections/ problems to redeveloping Casement Park, as a GAA grounds in Belfast?. I saw that locals are objecting to the project, on what basis?. Casement Park was used for years without any problems, but it probably needs upgrading." The problem was not redeveloping Casement Park for Antrim GAA, the issues occurred when attempting to make Casement Park the Provincial Stadium for Ulster GAA, simply because them Rugby and Soccer Unionist ones have Stadiums in Belfast, so we should too!!!! The site isn't suitable for a Stadium of that size, thus residents complaints. The GAA and Sinn Fein want it badly, as they both will claim afterwards that its something massive they did or achieved for Belfast for Antrim and Ulster GAA. Yet not once have any of these self serving idiots stopped and thought about what the primary purpose of this Provincial Stadium is, to serve all 9 Counties of Ulster at all grades and codes. Simply look at a map of 9 Counties of Ulster, mark the location of Clones and then mark the location of Casement, essentially they plan to replace one logistical nightmare with another overpriced logistical nightmare. This whole thing sparked to life after the British Government backed Ireland's Rugby World Cup bid, when that failed, the British money dried up, now the GAA are looking for public money again. GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 05/03/2020 16:06:50 2272371 Link
can anyone explain why matched suddenly stopped in casement by the way. Why didnt Antrim continue with what they had until a new plan was agreed. Why mothball the place when nothing was certain. Also I know it takes TWO teams of supporters to fill a stadium and I cant see any league clashes that Antrim have in the near future doing that how many were at antrim v limerick last weekend? The bird in the hand in Clones, lets develop it, not having floodlights there is nuts, hawkeye is not installed there either as we wait on the casement fairytale. it wouldnt take too much to bring Clones with its ample side roads and fields for parking, to be brought up to 21st century standards I look forward to get back to casement soon, in the shiny new 10,000 seater with some terracing on 2 or even 3 sides ! KeshGFC (Fermanagh) - Posts: 334 - 05/03/2020 17:19:18 2272381 Link
Minister has recommended the plans should proceed; looks like Casement will finally be redeveloped. The new home of Ulster GAA; where does this leave Clones as a big match venue? sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 999 - 13/10/2020 11:48:11 2297206 Link
Replying To sam1884: "Minister has recommended the plans should proceed; looks like Casement will finally be redeveloped. The new home of Ulster GAA; where does this leave Clones as a big match venue?" With Monaghan bringing league games to other grounds, the deterioration of Clones town itself, the appalling condition of the toilets on the terrace side of the pitch, I can see Clones being used very sparingly if Casement gets redeveloped. Such a shame. It was Football's Thurles. cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5010 - 13/10/2020 11:54:11 2297208 Link
Long, long overdue decision. Whole there's no doubt Clones served it's purpose the stark reality is that Ulster GAA and Belfast needed a proper modern stadium with 21st century facilities. It is much a political statement as a sporting one and that is also welcome. There will be begrudgers no doubt and the most vocal opposition will be from within Ulster. The ones who travel into Belfast from rural parts for their Civil Service, teaching, NHS, building jobs will be the loudest shouters against Casement. They take, take, take from Belfast but yap and cry if the city gets anything. I have no time for this crowd. Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9697 - 13/10/2020 12:06:06 2297215 Link
Replying To Ulsterman: "In truth Casement has faced as much opposition from other Ulster Gaels as any anti GAA forces in the North. There is resentment and jealousy from some elements, particularly in Tyrone and Derry, that Belfast could hold Ulster finals again. These are the same people who travel into Belfast every day for their Civil Service/NHS/Teaching jobs, whose student youths torture residents in the Holyland with their drunken loutish behaviour and who take EVERYTHING from Belfast and give nothing back. Their hypocrisy and selfishness makes me puke to be honest." My god man get over yourself. sean og (Armagh) - Posts: 1053 - 13/10/2020 12:32:38 2297226 Link
Excellent news and about time too. It will be a super stadium. Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 3724 - 13/10/2020 12:34:07 2297227 Link
I still have this feeling not to get too excited until they start breaking ground. Too many begrudgers out there who would love nothing more than to see Casement remain a wasteland in the heart of a thriving GAA community. Sad but true! SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2385 - 13/10/2020 12:46:06 2297233 Link