The long-awaited redevelopment of Casement Park has 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.
The delays in rolling out the stadium, which last hosted a game 13 years ago, have been many and varied.
Initial planning permission for a 38,000-capacity stadium was subsequently overturned by judicial review in 2014.
In 2021, permission was then granted for an arena catering for 34,500 people, but subsequent inflation increases have driven the project from its initial cost of £78.5m to an estimated £260m last year.
Along the way, Casement Park missed out on the prospect of being a host venue for Euro 2028.
Confirmed funding thus far includes £62.5m from Stormont, Croke Park (£15m) and the Irish Government (£42m).
The UK Government has pledged £50m and yesterday Stormont Finance Minister John O'Dowd proposed additional funding of £46m to reflect inflationary pressures.
Minister O’Dowd said his draft multi-year budget would allow Stormont departments to plan longer-term spending.
The plan has not yet been agreed by the other executive parties.
Based on these figures, overall current funding for Casement would stand around £215m.
Reacting to the news, the provincial council said: "The Ulster GAA and its Stadium Project Board welcomes the publication of the Northern Ireland Executive’s draft budget and the proposed increase in funding for the redevelopment of Casement Park to take account of inflationary pressures given delays for the project to date.
"This represents a significant and positive step forward in a project that Ulster GAA, alongside many partners, has worked diligently on for a number of years to secure.
"Casement Park is an Executive flagship programme for government priority and a vital piece of sporting and community infrastructure, not only for Gaelic games but for the wider sporting and cultural life of the North."
And writing in his annual report, Brian McAvoy also wrote of a clearer line of sight emerging.
"The focus of the Casement Park team over the past year was on realignment for the project and a return to our original ambition to work towards delivering a provincial, fit-for-purpose GAA stadium in Belfast.
"A significant amount of time and effort in 2025 was also dedicated to working with Antrim GAA on an interim management agreement for the redeveloped stadium which was required ahead of the relocation of the Social Club from the site to the new temporary facility at St Agnes' Hall.
"At the time of writing, indications are encouraging that we will return to site in January 2026 to complete our demolition programme, followed by a remediation and bulk dig contract that will prepare the site for future development."
Planning permission is due to expire in July 2026, with a phased delivery of the stadium due to unfold.
"Work is progressing towards a deliverable, affordable scheme that meets the GAA's strategic requirements," McAvoy continued.
"As we move into 2026, it appears that we will finally be entering the delivery phase of the Casement Park Project - a significant milestone not only for Ulster GAA but for the entire GAA community.
"Casement Park is now firmly established as a key sporting, cultural, economic and social priority for the Northern Ireland Executive, the Irish Government and the British Government.
"Within our own association and across the wider community it is more important now than ever to remain fully focused on the delivery of what has been promised, and we must remain united and steadfast in our determination to ensure its delivery once and for all."
