Tánaiste Martin backs Sir Keir Starmer's Casement Park plans

The football 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.

The Northern Ireland Executive, Irish Government, and the GAA have already committed a combined €120 million to the redevelopment, so there is a willingness to get it completed.However, not many are confident that the ground will be ready in time for the football event in four years.

A report from The Times states, "Sir Keir Starmer has told UEFA he will push for a controversial £310 million bailout of Casement Park to allow Northern Ireland to host matches in football’s 2028 European Championship." The report also adds, "UEFA sources said Starmer had told senior figures in European football’s governing body that the Labour government was keen to drive through the redevelopment of the derelict site."

An aerial view of a derelict Casement Park in June 2020 (Image: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Starmer isn't the only one who is keen to solve the Casement Park issue. Northern Ireland's Secretary of State, Hilary Benn, said last week that the government was working "as quickly as possible" to assess the options for Casement.

He also stressed that "one way or another, the project will be completed."

Martin, also speaking on the issue this week, supported comments made by Sir Keir Starmer about the rebuild of the Northern Ireland ground.

“I think the British government still has a decision to make in terms of the precise figures, but it’s a welcome announcement,” Martin said.

“It’s all about working together in terms of the future of sport, as a reconciler, as community-based, and in terms of international events coming to Ireland.”