BURNS FIRED UP AS HE WAITS FOR CASEMENT CASH

GAA president Jarlath Burns has said this is the “biggest week of all" for the Casement Park project as he awaits news on British government funding for the project.

- BY PAT NOLAN

The home of Antrim GAA has been shut since 2013 after numerous hold-ups around planning and funding, with the opportunity to host games in Euro 2028 having now passed.

The Stormont Executive has pledged £62.5m (€74m) towards the project, while the Irish Government will stump up £43m (€51m) to go along with the GAA's £15m (€18m).

But that is a long way short of the total required to complete the development with costs having spiralled and British chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to announce what contribution her government is prepared to make towards the shortfall.

"This is a big week for it,” said Burns. “This is the biggest week of all.

“We keep saying the next few weeks are crucial, but I think (today) we're going to hear the spending review.

“I hope it's generous because it's something that we would really like to see moving on.”