The GAA has said that confirmation that Belfast will not be hosting any games for Euro 2028 is "a missed opportunity and it is one that our entire society will look back on with considerable regret".
The UK government confirmed last night that it will not fund the redevelopment of the derelict GAA stadium in time for the football tournament due to "a significant risk that it would not be built in time".
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy announced the decision in a joint letter to Communities Minister Gordon Lyons yesterday.
Casement Park had been earmarked to host five matches in Euro 2028, being jointly hosted by the UK and Ireland.
The Irish Government and the GAA had said they would contribute to the redevelopment, but delays and spiralling costs created a funding gap.
In a statement released this afternoon, the GAA said: "On his appointment to office, the Secretary of State Hilary Benn, on behalf of the British Government, gave firm commitments that Casement Park will be built, a commitment also given by his predecessor.
"We have sought an urgent meeting with him to agree next steps."
The statement added that the GAA "will work with all partners to ensure that the promises made by the NI Executive over 13 years ago ... to deliver on the strategic stadia need of the GAA in the province and in Belfast, Ireland's second city, are fulfilled".
Earlier today, the Interim CEO of the FAI, David Courell, said the association is disappointed by the news.
"We all had an aspiration to see Northern Ireland feature as a host venue for the tournament, unfortunately it hasn't come to pass," he said at the FAI's AGM today.
However, Mr Courell said the FAI is "absolutely committed" to working with Northern Ireland to ensure that it continues to "feature in some way in terms of the tournament delivery".
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UK govt 'moved too slowly' over Casement Park works, says SDLP
Meanwhile, an SDLP MLA said those responsible for the failure to ensure that Casement Park will be rebuilt in time for Euro 2028 "should hang their heads in shame".
Justin McNulty, also a former All-Ireland winner with Armagh, said the UK government had "moved too slowly and showed no ambition" over the west Belfast stadium.
In their letter yesterday, Mr Benn and Ms Nandy said the cost of rebuilding Casement Park had risen "dramatically" from when the Euro 2028 bid was awarded in October 2023 and now - from £180m (€213m) to potentially above £400m (€473m).
They said the risk of the GAA stadium refurbishments not being completed in time was partly due to a lack of building progress made during that time period.
GAA Central Council delegates were informed at a meeting last weekend that the project would cost in the region of €306m.
The ministers also said that they were constrained by a UEFA requirement for all stadia to be ready a year before the tournament starts for "essential test events".
With the British government ruling out funding for redeveloping the stadium before the tournament, the prospect of Belfast hosting any Euro 2028 matches would appear to be over.
Mr McNulty said: "The team at Ulster GAA put in an incredible effort to try and get this across the line in time for the Euros and to ensure that the North would reap all the benefits associated with hosting a tournament of this magnitude.
"That this has fallen apart has nothing to do with them and the blame lies solely at the feet of government who have moved too slowly, showed no ambition and now we must pay the price."
He added: "Casement Park is more than a stadium, it's the heart of the GAA in Ulster and it has lain dormant for far too long.
"The funding for this project was agreed all the way back In 2011 and the delays have had nothing to do with the GAA.
"Construction must begin at Casement as soon as possible so that we can look forward to Ulster finals, community events and all the other benefits a stadium like this will bring.
"Those responsible for missing out on the Euros should hang their heads in shame."
Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill described the decision as "deeply disappointing" and represented a "missed opportunity for sport and our economy".
However, she insisted that the Executive was still committed to rebuilding Casement Park.
Mr Lyons said the UK government had "determined this as not being value for money".
He added: "Following this announcement, I will engage with the UK government and other partners to see how Northern Ireland can still benefit from hosting the competition and ensure that there is a lasting legacy for football in Northern Ireland."
Mr Benn and Ms Nandy said in their joint letter that they will engage with those involved on "the appropriate way forward" for Casement Park.
"We will continue to work together with partners and UEFA regarding Northern Ireland's involvement in Euro 2028 moving forward, and remain fully committed to ensuring that the tournament positively impacts on the whole of the UK, providing a legacy for football and people across all four home nations," the joint letter to the Stormont Executive said.
"As we understand it, the Executive remains committed to building Casement Park and you will no doubt want to take stock of the project in light of this decision.
"We will, therefore, seek engagement with NI partners, including the GAA, in the coming weeks, to discuss this decision in more detail as well as seeking views on the appropriate way forward for Casement Park."
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