HOPES that construction work is secretly underway at Casement Park were dashed on Tuesday after eagle-eyed residents in west Belfast spotted diggers entering the grounds.
Expectations have been raised in recent weeks after the UK and Ireland were confirmed to host Euro 2028 including Casement as one of the host venues.
Far from the first sod being cut on Tuesday, the more mundane explanation reported was that essential maintenance work was being carried out by Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE).
Questions still remain on just how and if a new 34,500 seat Casement will be funded, with the original projected costs of £77m having spiraled to the most recent estimate of around £168m.
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Stormont had originally been due to donate £62m and the GAA’s promise of £15m remains unchanged.
The Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton Harris has previously indicated the UK government may be prepared to step in, while the Irish government has also suggested they will contribute.
It is currently hoped that new Casement Park could be completed by the summer of 2026, but the large price tag has generated opposition from both the DUP as well as some Northern Ireland football fans.
