Former Antrim hurler Neil McManus believes the GAA should capitalise on its "healthy financial state" to up its contribution to the Casement Park redevelopment project.
It comes as the long-awaited redevelopment of the Belfast venue received two boosts as the complex project looks set to progress significantly this year.
Northern Ireland's Executive on Tuesday signalled its intention to reflect inflationary pressures in additional funding for Casement Park and in doing so unveiled a draft budget which includes an extra £40m (€46m) for the redevelopment of the Belfast venue, though the budget proposals are subject to further consideration.
Meanwhile, writing in his annual report, Ulster GAA CEO Brian McAvoy stated that 2026 would be the year when "it appears that we will finally be entering the delivery phase" of Casement Park.
Speaking to Inside Sport on RTÉ Radio 1, McManus offered a cautious welcome to the latest turn of events and on the role that the GAA should play, he said that the association should be in a position to invest more funding into the project.
"There will be an onus. I think everybody will have to contribute again additionally," he said.
"But that's OK as well because the GAA is in a healthy financial state. It can afford to increase it's contribution I believe and if everybody does that along the percentage lines of their original contribution, I think that would bring the GAA's contribution maybe from €15 to €21 or €22 million and that's very doable."
McManus also emphasised why it was vital for the stadium redevelopment to get over the line from a regional perspective.
"It's incredibly important for a number of reasons," he said.
"Firstly, this is our home as Ulster gaels. Casement Park is the focal point of Gaelic games in the north of the island, Belfast is Ireland's second city and it doesn't have a major GAA stadium which is a crying shame and such a miss.
"We're now in a position where we have a full generation of camogie, hurlers and ladies footballers and male footballers who have not had the opportunity to represent Antrim at Casement Park, in our home, and that's something that we should be totally and utterly ashamed of.
"But yesterday, the announcement that came through was very, very welcome. It is a very positive signal.
"Obviously, we're not counting our chickens just yet but we're getting close to the amount that's needed. We may be €40-50 million short still but there's no reason that cannot be found.
"And this is an investment. It's not a spend, it's not a cost as such. It's an investment in Gaelic games in the North and I think it's a great opportunity for the Westminster government ot step in and say, 'we understand there has been under-investment in Gaelic games over the last 60, 70, 80 years, and we want to step up to the mark and provide for the Gaels who are in the North'."
