By Paddy Tierney

Copyright belfastlive

As the Casement Park saga rumbles on with progress stalled once more on the redevelopment of the famous west Belfast stadium, Sean McGreevy has labelled the impasse “a disgrace” and says Antrim GAA deserve a “proper” home venue. Having played played host to a senior Championship game in 2013, the derelict venue has been besieged by delays, legal issues and funding setbacks, the latest of which saw Belfast miss out on hosting games as part of Euro 2028. As recently as last week, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, reiterated that funding remains the biggest obstacle. Read more: Antrim hero recalls bizarre Joe Brolly incident and how the dying wish of a fan inspired a memorable Championship win Read more: Cargin sweating on Kevin O’Boyle fitness ahead of Creggan semi-final clash The latest estimates for the rebuild of the 34,500-capacity stadium is around £250m. The Executive has pledged £62.5m with the Irish government contributing £43m. The GAA has earmarked £15m, although there remains pressure for the association to increase that amount. Of the Antrim team who lost out to Monaghan in 2013, only Ryan Murray and Paddy McBride remain and a whole generation of senior players might never get the opportunity to play for their county, something which angers McGreevy. “When you are a county player you are entitled to play in a county ground that has a capacity of upwards of 10,000,” said McGreevy. “Every other county in Ulster has a decent county stadium. “I don’t like to use the word embarrassing, but some people would use that word. We just can’t seem to sort out our county ground. “Players deserve that respect for the hours and effort they are putting in. Every few years, it seems like they are doing more and more nights and the training gets more intense. “Those guys are putting in serious hours. The least they deserve is a ground they can call a proper home. “It is a disgrace and it needs to be sorted. It has to happen. It is the uncertainty of not knowing what is happening, it is very deflating. “It is of massive importance for Antrim to have Casement Park built.” In recent seasons Antrim have played their home games at Corrigan Park. The capacity of the Whiterock Road venue, home to St John’s, is capped at around 2000 for health and safety issues. Earlier this year, the Antrim footballers threatened to pull out of the Ulster Championship if their clash with defending All-Ireland champions Armagh was played elsewhere. McGreevy was among those in attendance and feels the game highlighted the continued need for a bigger county ground for Antrim. “St John’s have to be complimented for the work they’ve done at Corrigan Park,” added McGreevy. “But, there’s a capacity issue there. I was at the Armagh game in the Championship and there were only a limited amount of supporters who could attend the game. “It is very frustrating. Every few months, hopes rises and then it gets knocked back. “It must be soul- destroying for the players. It is soul-destroying for Antrim in general, but there’s a whole generation now who have missed out on playing at Casement Park.”