Ulster GAA have said that they remain committed to work beginning on Casement Park in early 2024 despite one of their joint venture partners filing a notice of intention to appoint administrators.
Buckingham Group, who are also involved in the current redevelopment of the Anfield Road stand at Liverpool's Anfield Stadium, announced on Thursday that they had stopped trading amid "rapidly escalating contract losses and a sharp reduction in liquidity".
The company said that it was exploring options to sell parts or all of the business after filing a notice of intention to appoint administrators, but added that they "emphasise the Company is currently not in Administration".
Main contractors Heron Brothers Limited and Buckingham Group Contracting Limited were awarded the contract for the design and construction of the new stadium at Casement Park.
The original investment back in 2013, with the Northern Ireland executive committing £62m, was £77m with the money being provided as part of a wider package of stadium development covering soccer's Windsor Park and rugby's Ravenhill. The GAA also agreed to a £15m investment.
"We remain fully focused on work commencing on site early next year."
Both the soccer and rugby venues were completed years ago but a series of issues have delayed the Casement project with the cost of construction now expected to be substantially over £100m.
Last year a legal challenge against a decision to grant planning approval for the redevelopment was dismissed and Ulster GAA are now hopeful of having games played there in late 2025 with the venue also included in an initial list of potential grounds for a joint Irish and UK bid for EURO 2028.
"Ulster GAA is aware of the news reported yesterday that the Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd (BGC Ltd) Directors, have filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators to the company to protect their business, whilst they explore a sale of all or part of the company in the period ahead," the provincial body told RTÉ Sport.
"BGC Ltd are one of the Joint Venture partners involved in the Casement Park works contract. It is important to clarify that the company is not in administration and Ulster GAA will continue to monitor the situation closely assessing what affect (if any) this may have on the future delivery of our project. We remain fully focused on work commencing on site early next year."
Liverpool have also been hit by delays with their previous hope of having the new stand completed for tomorrow's match against Bournemouth now no longer feasible.
The works were to add 7,000 seats to Anfield’s capacity, bringing it up to 61,000. The lower tier of the new stand will be open for Saturday’s game, but it remains unclear when the entire stand will be fully open.
"Buckingham Group has made us aware that it has filed for a notice of intention to appoint administrators. This filing does not impact the planned opening of the new Anfield Road Stand’s lower tier on Saturday for the match against AFC Bournemouth," Liverpool FC said in a statement.
"Following the successful test events earlier this week, Liverpool City Council’s building control team issued a safety certificate to operate the lower tier of the Anfield Road Stand and we look forward to welcoming supporters to Anfield for our first Premier League home game of the season.
"We will work with Buckingham Group on the planned phased opening of the remainder of the new stand and will continue to keep supporters updated on arrangements for future games."
