We are delighted to announce that Shane Lowry, the reigning Open Champion, has pledged his support as an Official Partner with Offaly GAA.
Shane will support Offaly GAA’s commercial and fundraising initiatives to help progress improvements in our underage coaching programmes and develop educational bursaries for our young players.
Offaly GAA are in the process of preparing a Strategic Plan which will have a significant focus on player development. As an elite international sportsman, Shane has offered his experience and expertise to inspire and help improve the development of our players.
The people of Offaly are immensely proud of everything that Shane has achieved. He comes from a family steeped in the history of Offaly GAA and he is himself a devoted supporter of Clara GAA and Offaly GAA.
Like many other counties, Offaly GAA experienced a very difficult financial year in 2020 and the county are presently on a fundraising drive following a very successful Grand Canal Walk to support the County and Clubs.
In support of our fundraising drive to put Offaly GAA on a more sustainable financial footing, Shane has also pledged a personal annual financial contribution to Offaly GAA over the next 5 years.
Speaking at an online media launch of this venture from his base in Florida, Shane said that “in 10 or 20 years, if I could see an Offaly man walk up the steps of Croke Park, I’d die a happy man.”
The affable Major Champion said he met Michael Duignan over Christmas “and we went out to the Faithful Fields. It is one of the best training facilities in the country and to have that there and not have the structures in place is kind of sad. So, I said I’d come on board and I have now and I will help as much as I can. It’s a long road ahead for Offaly GAA but I hope it’s the start of great things.”
Welcoming the news, Michael Duignan, Chairperson Offaly GAA said: “On behalf of Offaly GAA, I wish to sincerely thank Shane for coming on board as a Partner of Offaly GAA. We are all excited by the prospect of working with Shane in the coming years as we strive to improve the fortunes of the county. Shane has inspired us all in Offaly by the way he has progressed to the upper echelons of world golf and we are all extremely proud of his achievements. Shane has pledged his support to help our players of all ages to fulfil their potential. His passion, ambition and honesty of endeavour, while at all times remaining humble and grounded, are leadership attributes that we are looking to enhance in the culture of Offaly GAA.
We are on a journey in Offaly GAA and it is fantastic to have Shane on board particularly supporting our coaching and games initiatives, which we hope will benefit all our clubs and players. Offaly GAA are also very thankful that Shane has committed to support Offaly GAA financially and we are very grateful for his commitment to offer his time to help our players and support our commercial and fundraising initiatives.
The Lowry name has always been synonymous with excellence within Offaly GAA and we once again thank Shane for joining us on the Offaly GAA journey.”
By Offaly PRO Thu 29th Apr
