Euro 2028 matches ‘could bring £106m’ to Northern Ireland

Deirdre Hargey told BBC News NI the “clock was ticking”.

“The focus now has to be on the British Government – they need to put the money on the table,” she said.

“They need to show us the commitment that they gave to underwrite it (Casement Park), the commitment they gave to the Ulster GAA. That now has to be realised.”

She added: “It’s an opportunity that we cannot allow to be lost in the time ahead.”

Ms Hargey did not specify a figure but said the government needed to clarify its position “urgently”.

The Stormont executive has already pledged to pay at least £62.5m of the Casement redevelopment costs.

Asked if more money could come from the executive, she said: “I think we would need to look at that, but firstly we need to know what the British government are going to come forward with.”

The GAA has promised £15m and indicated that is its limit.

Ms Hargey said that the GAA is currently paying for clearance work on the west Belfast site and the priority was a financial contribution from the UK government.

She said the Grant Thornton report illustrated the potential benefits to the tourist and hospitality industry from staging five matches in Belfast during the tournament in the summer of 2028.

“If we can show that we can do the Euros well, that really opens the door to the potential of hosting other major events in Casement – but also beyond Casement as well,” she added.