GAA set to scale back Casement Park redevelopment plans

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It is expected that Casement Park's capacity will now be much lower than the 34,000 previously planned [PA Media]

The GAA looks set to scale back its plans to redevelop Casement Park, the BBC understands.

It is expected the ground capacity will now be much lower than the 34,000 previously planned.

As a result it will no longer be able to stage Ulster senior final matches but will instead be used for other provincial fixtures.

The moves comes amid a long running dispute over funding for the project.

The development was also delayed over prolonged planning disputes.

Rebuilding the west Belfast stadium was estimated to cost about £260m of which £120m was jointly in place from the Stormont Executive, the Irish government and the GAA.

The British government had pledged a further £50m as part of the spending review which left a shortfall of £90m.

It is understood there is now a question mark over the government's financial commitment which has prompted a rethink.

While there has been no official confirmation from the GAA, sources close to the association have said it has been left with no option but to scale back the project.

They also confirmed that a new "statement of need" will be drawn up to reflect what can be built with the available financial resources.

"This is not what GAA had planned but it has been clear for some time that financial resources needed were not going to be met," the source said.

"It is a disappointment but the priority now will be to get the stadium built as soon as possible."

Analysis​

This was to be the flagship stadium for the GAA in Ulster, a venue even capable of staging international soccer matches.

But now after years of being dogged by planning and more recently political delays it is to be scaled right back.

Far from staging the blue ribbon Ulster senior finals it will now only be able for lower ranking fixtures.

It is a blow for Ulster GAA and its supporters and the finger of blame will likely be pointed at politicians.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill had insisted Casement Park would be completed on her watch but not the stadium as originally planned.

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