Memories to last a lifetime along with considerable tourism were just a couple of reasons hosting Euro 2028 was a cause for excitement for people of both Northern Ireland and Belfast.
Casement Park's status as a Euro 2028 host venue is over after the UK government this week confirmed they would not provide the necessary funding for the stadium's redevelopment.
The UK Government confirmed that it will not fund the re-development of the derelict GAA stadium in time for the tournament to many people's disappointment.
There has been minimal movement on the renovation of the GAA ground since the bid to host the Championships was submitted in 2022. It was noted that the risk of the stadium not being completed in time was partly due to a lack of progress made since the submission.
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'Missed Opportunity': GAA Release Statement After Casement Park
Today, the GAA have released a statement regarding the disappointment on the missed opportunity.
Confirmation that Belfast will not be hosting the UEFA EURO 2028 Championships is a missed opportunity and it is one that our entire society will look back on with considerable regret.
Ulster GAA has taken every possible step to keep the project on track for the UEFA Euro 2028 Football Championships. This included investing over £4m in critical aspects of pre enabling works in anticipation of the procurement of the new main contractor.
On his appointment to office the Secretary of State Hilary Benn, on behalf of the British Government, gave firm commitments that Casement Park will be built, a commitment also given by his predecessor. We have sought an urgent meeting with him to agree next steps.
Casement Park will be built, and we will work with all partners to ensure that the promises made by the NI Executive over 13 years ago and within successive Programmes for Government, to deliver on the strategic stadia need of the GAA in the province and in Belfast, Ireland’s second city, are fulfilled.
As we continue to work towards the delivery of the new Casement Park, which will host Gaelic Games at all levels, and be a community hub for West Belfast, we would like to thank Gaels throughout Antrim, Ulster and Ireland for their patience, commitment and unwavering support for the project over many years.
The GAA also said it will continue to work towards the delivery of the new Casement Park which will host Gaelic Games at all levels.
Croke Park bosses insist that the stadium will be rebuilt and have requested an 'urgent' meeting with Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn to 'agree next steps'.
The Aviva stadium is set to benefit from Casement's failure to be ready for the Championships as the five games the Belfast stadium were due to host will be redistributed among the remaining hosts, although Cork City councillor Peter Horgan has another idea.
An enormous opportunity to create jobs, boost tourism, and showcase the area to people on the global stage has been missed.
