Casement Park is going to miss deadline for Euro 2028, reveals GAA president Jarlath Burns

Burns, speaking at the launch of the All-Ireland hurling championship at the Michael Cusack Centre in Carran, Co Clare, said he did not now envisage games being played in Belfast as part of the tournament.

“It’s not looking as if we’re going to get the Euros,” lamented Burns, focusing on the impact its loss could potentially have on the city.

The redevelopment of Casement Park would still proceed, he envisaged, but not to the specification required to meet UEFA standards for hosting a tournament on that scale.

“Having attended the final of the Europa League in the Aviva, I can see what UEFA brings to a stadium and to an event,” he said. “West Belfast deserves that and we’re not getting it. It’s just a great pity because the carrot was dangled in front of us and then it was taken away.

“And actually the big loser here is going to be the game of soccer in Northern Ireland society and the economy. The Department for the Economy was waiting to weigh in with all sorts of…