Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O’Neill believes that a newly elected Labour government in the UK could really help accelerate the redevelopment of Casement Park in Belfast for Euro 2028.
The tournament is set to be held in four years across Wales, Ireland, England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, but Casement Park in Northern Ireland still needs major work to be ready for the tournament.
The ground has not been used since the 2013 Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final between Antrim and Monaghan, and it was reported in March that the official estimate for the refurbishment of the ground is around £308 million. The new ground needs to be ready by the summer of 2027, at the latest.
Not many are confident that the ground will be ready in time for the football event in four years, but O'Neill believes that a potential Labour government could boost the chances of the venue being ready.
The UK general election takes place on July 4, with many believing that Labour will beat the Conservative Party.
"We now need the commitment of the British government. So on the other side of this election, I expect that Labour will need to come to the table and let’s find a solution to make sure we get Casement Park built," said O'Neill.
“We’re already engaging with Labour. Labour knows that we are coming on day one to ask for this project to be built.
An artist's impression of the redeveloped Casement Park (Image: casementpark.ie)“There’s an opportunity for a reset of relations between Dublin and London, and I think that is where we are going to find the solution.
"This is an all-island project in terms of the Euro bid itself. Let’s make it happen," she said.
O'Neill also reiterated the same point to the Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) a day prior, so there is eagerness to get it done. O'Neill also admits that they will be knocking on 10 Downing Street's door to seek funding for the new ground, whoever that may be.
“When we get past July 4 next week, whoever comes out the other side, whoever occupies Downing Street, will have me knocking at their door in terms of the huge significance that we have, the huge economic boost that we have to have the Euros hosted here, and I want us to be part of that,” Ms. O’Neill told MLAs.
“I do not want us to miss a moment there. So, whoever comes into 10 Downing Street, whoever occupies the Treasury, we want firm commitments in terms of their commitment to the financial package that actually gets Casement built and also gets us our part as part of the Euros.”
