Cork's Páirc Uí Chaoimh 'should be considered' as Euro 2028 venue
A Labour Party candidate for next year’s local elections said that the Cork GAA HQ should have been included in Ireland’s part of the joint bid with the UK to host the finals of the European Championships in 2028.
PÁIRC Uí Chaoimh should ‘100%’ be the natural option for Euro 2028 games should Belfast’s Casement Park not be ready in time for the opening of the tournament, the Labour Party candidate in Cork City South East Peter Horgan has suggested.
The Labour Party candidate for next year’s local elections said that the Cork GAA HQ should have been included in Ireland’s part of the joint bid with the UK to host the finals of the European Championships in 2028.
Casement Park in west Belfast is at the centre of a political dispute between Northern Irish parties as both Sinn Féin and the SDLP are anxious to press ahead with the transformation of the Co. Antrim GAA headquarters, which has lain dormant since 2013 when it was last used.
Unionist parties have expressed alarm at the sharp increase in the estimated cost of the redevelopment, up from €88m(£76m) in 2013 to €127m(£110m) in 2023.
Last week Taoiseach Leo Varadkar suggested that the Irish Government would make a contribution to help the redevelopment of Casement Park. At the same time as Casement Park was scheduled to be redeveloped, Ulster rugby HQ Ravenhill and Northern Ireland’s national soccer stadium, Windsor Park were also targeted to be transformed. These projects have since been completed but Casement Park was hit by objections from residents and that delayed the projects.
Mr Horgan has also suggested that Cork should be the location for a ‘fan zone’ similar to those which have been organized as part of the accommodation for fans at other major championships such as the World Cup in Qatar.
“If Casement Park isn’t ready in time, I believe 100% Páirc Uí Chaoimh should be used,” Mr Horgan told The Echo.
“The Munster game showed we can have the big ticket events.
“Why not include that stadium? Temporary seating is doabale.”
While the candidate expressed his enthusiastic support for the inclusion of Páirc Uí Chaoimh in the Ireland bid for Euro 2028 and for its use for other major sporting events, he said that there were still a number of issues surrounding traffic mobility and other concerns raised by people living in the locality that needed to be addressed.
“We still need a standing forum to give solutions to traffic mobility and access can be teased out outside the constraints of upcoming events around the corner,” he said.
“Everyone wants the stadium to succeed and hosting events brings a great atmosphere to the area and the city but let’s approach in a sustainable manner with open communications with every stakeholder, especially residents.”
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