Lowry hails JP for €32m GAA boost

AMAZING GIVEAWAY: Pictured is Amgen golf ambassador Shane Lowry at a launch event for the 2024 Amgen Irish Open. Amgen announced it will serve as the title sponsor of the Irish Open starting in 2024, following the acquisition of Horizon Therapeutics plc in October 2023. Pic:©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

JP McManus’ €32 million gift to 32 GAA county boards has been hailed by Shane Lowry as an “amazing” gesture.

The Offaly star is a big admirer of the Limerick billionaire, whose Adare Manor resort will host the Ryder Cup in 2027.

“It's amazing,” Lowry said. “I'm a huge fan of JP. He's been great to us golfers over the years and he's been great to the GAA and sport in general. Horse racing is big because of JP. I know people criticised him a bit — I listened to some stuff on radio — but he puts a lot of money into Ireland, and he keeps a lot of things afloat. And him doing that with the GAA counties was something that he doesn't need to do. So it's very generous of him.

“He's one of the most generous people you meet. Anyone in the golfing circles I know will tell you that as well, it's amazing what he's done.” 

McManus’ support for Limerick GAA has resulted in the county’s golden run of four All-Ireland hurling titles in a row, while the 2022 JP McManus Pro-Am at Adare Manor raised an incredible €141.74 million for charities in the mid-west region.

"It's all about charity, having fun, and doing something for the local communities,’ said star attraction Tiger Woods, who is a close friend of McManus’, at last year’s Pro-Am.

"What JP has done over the years has been truly remarkable. We're here to support him.”