GAA President Jarlath Burns has not dismissed the idea of Cork's Páirc Uí Chaoimh being a possible venue for the upcoming Euros in 2028.
The news comes days after it was announced that Northern Ireland's Casement Park redevelopment project would not be going ahead for the tournament.
The ground has not been used since the 2013 Ulster Senior Football Championship between Antrim and Monaghan and has been closed since.
Plans had been touted to have it rebuilt for the upcoming tournament, which will be held in Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, and Wales in four years, but this week, those plans to have it ready in 2027 have been quashed.
Northern Ireland's Secretary of State, Hilary Benn, said the estimated cost has "risen dramatically."
There is now a potential opening for other venues to host the tournament in Casement Park's place. Croke Park in Dublin and Cork's Páirc Uí Chaoimh have been mentioned this week.
Tánaiste and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, and Minister of State in the Department of Sport, Thomas Byrne, have both offered their takes on the matter.
PÁIRC USE WOULD BE 'SEISMIC':
Calls have been made to use Páirc Uí Chaoimh as a venue for Euro 2028 games. Cork City Cllr @horganp voiced his enthusiasm, saying it would have a “seismic” effect on the city while GAA President Jarlath Burns also backed ithttps://t.co/F8ur9u02hQ pic.twitter.com/5TLqTV7B8j— Cork Independent (@corkindo) September 19, 2024
Jarlath Burns was asked about Cork's Páirc Uí Chaoimh specifically and mentioned that the GAA would support the plans for some games to be held in Cork.
"Obviously, we in the GAA would be very supportive of that," Burns told RTÉ Sport.
"I have to give credit to the Tánaiste Micheál Martin and the Minister for Sport because I only mentioned it to Micheál Martin three days ago. It had been suggested to me by Kevin O'Donovan from Cork two months ago, just to plant the seed.
"We know that Páirc Uí Chaoimh is open for all business, and we would recommend as many games as possible to be held in it."
However, Burns admits that football's governing body, which organises tournaments, UEFA, will have the final say on what venue is used for the tournament.
"It’s great how quickly they’ve come out of the blocks, but at the end of the day, that’s a decision that will be made by UEFA. But if we were asked to nominate a stadium for the games that were to be held in Casement Park, they would definitely be in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, in one of the most vibrant cities in the world, Corcaigh.
"I can't speak for UEFA—it’s up to them—but the fact that the Tánaiste and the Minister for Sport came out very quickly in favour of it yesterday is very positive news for us. At the end of the day, it’s a decision for UEFA to make, but we know exactly where we stand on that."
UEFA has a strict policy on what stadiums can be used for their games and tournaments. Páirc Uí Chaoimh, at this moment, would not pass the test and would need alterations to host games in four years. Burns admits that the GAA would be involved in any changes should the stadium be selected.
"Well, that's something that is aspirational at the moment, and that’s something we have considered, but certainly the GAA would be involved in any decision like that."
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