Sports Minister Gordon Lyons has insisted on reflection he would NOT have changed how he handled the Casement Park Euro 2028 saga over the past 12 months.

In an interview with the Belfast Telegraph to mark almost a year in post, Lyons spoke about the criticism he received after the plan to build the GAA ground in time for the next European Championships was shelved, stressed that the blame for the failed project did not lie at his door and declared the NI Executive commitment to help finance the eventual construction of the stadium remains.

It was in September 2024 that the UK government announced they would not be providing funding to redevelop the west Belfast venue in time for the Euro 2028 Finals, declaring the estimated cost had “risen dramatically” to more than £400m.

The GAA suggested that figure was “wildly exaggerated” but Lyons said that it is “generally understood to be right largely because of the time frames that would have been involved”.

Another point made by the GAA was that issues surrounding Casement would have been dealt with quicker had they involved other sporting codes while it was reported GAA President Jarlath Burns accused the DUP minister of “dragging his heels”.

Asked if he would have done anything differently, Lyons stated: “No. I believe I have acted in the appropriate way. I have stood by the commitment that was made in 2011 (to Casement). I have engaged with all the relevant stakeholders and it would have been irresponsible of me to tender for a project with no guarantee that project would have had the funding in place.

“I simply don’t think it is credible to say if this had been a different sport it would have been treated differently.”

Lyons added that without funding the project proved “impossible” pointing out that while he and Burns have had some “frank conversations” over Casement they have a good personal relationship.