NO MONEY FOR CASEMENT IF NO MONEY FOR CLONES! –

GOVERNMENT PARTY COUNCILLORS SEND OUT DEFIANT MESSAGE IN SUPPORT OF “RETAIN ULSTER FINAL” CAMPAIGN

PETER HUGHES

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have been given an emphatic message from their grassroots in Co Monaghan that the €50 million earmarked for the redevelopment of Casement Park in Belfast through the Shared Island fund should not be paid unless St Tiernach’s Park in Clones receives the investment it needs for its upgrade plans. Government party councillors at last week’s meeting of Monaghan Co Council forcefully expressed the sentiment in declaring their backing for the ongoing campaign to ensure that the Clones venue remains the actual as well as the spiritual home of the Ulster Senior Football Championship once the Casement revamp is completed.

Fears are general in Co Monaghan that Clones will lose the fixture to Casement Park once its major redevelopment plans are complete. A letter before the September Council meeting from Ulster Council Chief Executive Officer Brian Mac Fhíobhuí thanked the members and staff of Monaghan Co Council “for their cooperation, help and support in the buildup to and on the day of the 2024 Ulster Senior Football Championship final. “It was a great occasion, greatly contributed to by the support of the Council, business community, local farmers and An Garda Síochána and the other response agencies. We have received positive feedback on both the events happening in the town and on the pre-match activities, including…