A SENIOR GAA official, who has been a central figure in the organisation's efforts to develop a 38,000 seat stadium at Casement Park, is leaving his high profile post at the Ulster Council.
Officials and staff at the Ulster Council were told on Thursday that Ryan Feeney is leaving the GAA to take up a new job at Queen’s University in Belfast.
The Irish News understands that Mr Feeney, who also sits as an Independent member of the Policing Board, will become head of public engagement at the university in January.
He is currently the Ulster Council’s head of community and public affairs and is also in charge of marketing, commercial and communications team.
A qualified economics and politics teacher, from Faughanvale, Co Derry, Mr Feeney has worked with the Ulster Council for around 10 years.
Mr Feeney, the first high profile member of the GAA to sit on the Policing Board, is also expected to continue in that role.
He has been a central figure in the ongoing Casement Park controversy where some residents in the area remain bitterly opposed to the plans.
The £77m scheme was delivered a blow last year when a court ruled that environment minister Mark H Durkan acted unlawfully in granting planning permission for the redevelopment.
In an interview last year Mr Feeney admitted the GAA could have had better engagement with residents and was determined to see the project completed.
Ulster Council PRO John Connolly praised Mr Feeney on Thursday night for his contribution.
“He had vast experience and played a big part in Casement Park and he was a key man in bringing in funding to the Ulster Council,” he said.
