Businessman JP McManus is to donate a total of €32 million to county boards across Ireland, it has been announced today.
€1 million will be allocated to each county, with the direction from the man himself that it is to be split evenly amongst the GAA, Camogie and Ladies Gaelic Football organisations.
The money is expected to arrive in the coming days, with some counties even reported to have received their sum in the form of a cheque already.
McManus, who is a tax resident in Switzerland, has been a long time sponsor of Limerick GAA, who have confirmed they are among those who have already received this monetary boost from the JP McManus Charitable Foundation.
JP McManus to donate €1million to every GAA county board in Ireland. Exclusive https://t.co/K7uFRBltmU
— Philip Lanigan (@lanno10) December 14, 2023
Back in 2018, the billionaire celebrated the Limerick men’s first Liam McCarthy success in 45 years by allocating €100,000 to each county board, and now, in 2023 and in the wake of their recent four in a row triumph, it appears the racehorse owner is repeating his act of kindness… or 10 times it as a matter of fact.
It will be up to county boards themselves to disburse the funding amongst the three organisations of the GAA, LGFA and Camogie, who are not yet, although they are in the process of, looking to amalgamate.
On the news, Limerick county board outlined in a statement that the money from JP McManus, Noreen Mc Manus and family has come with the tag “to distribute evenly to the GAA, Camogie and Ladies Football clubs within the county.”
Limerick GAA, Camogie and Ladies Football Clubs to benefit from donation.
Full details 👇 https://t.co/oIal2bH763— Limerick GAA (@LimerickCLG) December 14, 2023
“Clubs have this morning been notified of the news. The funds which will be distributed before Christmas will greatly help clubs as they prepare their plans for the 2024 season,” they added.
Limerick GAA Chairperson Seamus Mc Namara called it an “exceptionally generous donation”, emphasising that the “clubs are the bedrock of the GAA.”
“This will help in a time when costs are increasing for clubs to manage their funds,” he added.
“We are exceptionally grateful to JP, Noreen & all the Mc Manus family for this fantastic donation.”
It has not yet been clarified whether it has been noted if the money is to be offered to clubs, or whether that is up to the county board's own discretion.
Interesting to see whether the JP McManus donations have any conditions to how the money is distributed (apart from the idea of it being spread across hurling, football, camogie and ladies football).
Will it go to clubs? Or can county boards decide how to spend it?— Will O'Callaghan (@willocallaghan) December 14, 2023
The Ladies Gaelic Football Association and the Camogie Association have also provided his thoughts on the news.
LGFA President, Mícheál Naughton spoke about the "incredible gesture" in a statement released this afternoon.
"We all know how much JP loves Gaelic Games and this money will provide invaluable support to clubs at grassroots levels across the country," he said.
“JP previously assisted county boards in 2018 with a very generous donation and, once again, his efforts are hugely appreciated.”
The Camogie's President Hilda Breslin echoed similar comments, highlighting the association's "sincere appreciation" for the gesture made by McManus and his family.
"We are immensely grateful for their support, which significantly contributes to the vital work carried out by our units at the heart of communities,” she added.
