Euro 2028 ‘our time to shine’, says Michelle O’Neill

The UK and Ireland have been selected as hosts for the tournament, which is one of the world’s biggest sporting events.

However, Northern Ireland’s chosen stadium, Belfast’s Casement Park, is still awaiting the required development to meet the needed capacity.

Questions remain about the funding for the redevelopment. A decade ago the project was estimated to cost £77.5m, but now that figure has ballooned to potentially more than £300m.

Stormont has pledged £62.5m towards the project, while the Irish Government has committed £42.8m and the GAA has said it would stump up £15m. At this stage it is unclear how much the UK Government will pay.

Speaking at a dinner at the weekend, Michelle O’Neill said: “Hosting the 2028 European Football Championships in a world-class Casement Park presents our island and economy with an unprecedented opportunity.

“Every four years we turn on our televisions to see the European Championships being hosted in major cities across Europe – in Berlin, Paris, and Madrid.

“Now in 2028, we won’t be watching from afar, Belfast and Dublin will be inscribed on that prestigious list of host cities.

“This is our time to shine and showcase everything that we have to offer as hosts.”

Ms O’Neill added: “It will be a magnificent boost to our local economy and an epic opportunity to really show the world everything that is great about our people and island.

“By working together, we will make this a European Championship that will be long celebrated in the minds of football fans and local communities for years to come.”

The First Minister’s comments come after Irish FA President Conrad Kirkwood told the Belfast Telegraph he will continue to lobby the Stormont Executive and the UK Government to ensure the redevelopment of Casement goes ahead as planned.

“We’re waiting to hear more on the funding element from the British Government and from the Department for Communities,” he said.

“The Minister Gordon Lyons was a guest at the Irish Cup Final last Saturday, and I was asking him for an update.

“The clock is ticking on Euro 2028. Much of (Irish FA Chief Executive) Patrick Nelson’s time, and my time, is spent talking to the various politicians. We’re continually nudging them along, asking, ‘What’s happening’?

“We need this to be approved, so we can move the project to the next stage.

“I’m told there will be an announcement soon, but in Northern Ireland, you’re never quite sure what soon means.

“I remain confident that Casement will be ready in time for Euro 2028.”