Monaghan Senator Robbie Gallagher has highlighted the importance of the future of St Tiernach's Park in the context of the successful bid by the UK and Ireland to host the Euro 2028 football championship.
As part of the successful bid, significant investment is to be made in Casement Park in Belfast to redevelop it to the standard required to host matches in the competition. Despite this, Senator Gallagher believes that Casement Park's gain "cannot" be St Tiernach's Park's loss.
Speaking to Northern Sound, the local Fianna Fáil representative said that in terms of investment, fears have grown locally in Monaghan that St Tiernach's Park, which he described as "the spiritual home" of the Ulster Final, may be forgotten. He added that in many ways, the future of Clones depends on the future of St Tiernach's Park.
"I, like many sports fans, am looking forward to a major tournament in Ireland with the successful bid to host the 2028 Euros. However, in the context of the tournament and investment to be made in redeveloping Casement Park, fears have grown locally in Monaghan that St. Tiernach’s Park, the spiritual home of the Ulster Final, may be forgotten.”
Minister Byrne said that funding under future calls for proposals to the large-scale sport infrastructure fund, LSSIF, would be available, saying “it will, of course, be open to the stakeholders to apply for further funding for Clones stadium under a future call for proposals under the LSSIF.” Minister Byrne reaffirmed that “as the Senator stated, people have strong memories of great experiences going to matches at the stadium and I am sure they want that to continue. We want to have more facilities. Casement Park will be an addition to the island when it is done, and Clones stadium is there. We want to see them all progress.”
