Derry clubs to benefit from JP McManus contribution to GAA county boards

Derry GAA Clubs are set to receive over €10,000 each after Limerick businessman JP McManus made a €1,000,000 contribution to all GAA county boards in Ireland, to further invest in the national sport.

It has been confirmed that a figure €1 million is to be donated to each county board across the country through the JP McManus Charitable Foundation.

The huge boost follows a similar act of generosity from Mr McManus in 2018, when he gave each county board €100,000.

One of the richest people in Ireland, Mr McManus is reportedly worth around €2.6 billion, and his incredible €32m gift to Gaelic games was inspired by the success of his beloved Limerick senior hurlers, who have been All-Ireland champions for the last four years in a row.

His 2018 gift followed Limerick’s All-Ireland win that ended the side’s 45-year wait to lift the Liam McCarthy Cup.The JP McManus Charitable Foundation was established in 2000.

In a statement, GAA president Larry McCarthy and director general Tom Ryan said: “We would like to place on record our sincere gratitude to JP McManus and his family for yet another remarkable gesture of support.

“Clubs across the island benefitted greatly from the generosity of JP and his family in 2018, and we know that the funds were put to very good use at the time.

“His support of the GAA at many levels is well documented and our units will once again rejoice in the generosity of the McManus family and use the funds to assist in their hugely important work at the heart of communities.”

How much each club receives will depend on the number of clubs in that county, with the figures running from roughly €2,660 in Cork to €30,300 in Sligo. Clubs in over two-thirds of counties will see payments in excess of €10,000 each. In Derry, clubs are expected to receive around €10,753 each.

The news was welcomed by County Boards across Ireland, including the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, who expressed their gratitude to what they described as the 'extremely kind donation'.

A statement read: "This money will be used equally in support of the men's and women's codes in each county and comes at an important time for clubs, when costs are increasing significantly. 

"We thank JP McManus, his wife, Noreen, and their family for an extremely generous donation which will come as a huge boost to our clubs as they plan for 2024. 

"This money will be put to good use and will help the ongoing development of our many clubs across the country. 

Commenting, LGFA President, Mícheál Naughton, said: “We wish to put on the record, as an Association, our sincere thanks to JP McManus, Noreen, and family for this incredible gesture.

“We all know how much JP loves Gaelic Games and this money will provide invaluable support to clubs at grassroots levels across the country.

JP McManus has donated €1,000,000 to every County board in Ireland. (Image: Sportsfile)

“JP previously assisted county boards in 2018 with a very generous donation and, once again, his efforts are hugely appreciated.”

The Camogie Association also acknowledged the contribution and extended heartfelt appreciation to JP McManus, his wife Noreen, and their children for their extraordinary generosity.

A statement read: "The announcement of their generous donation of €1 million to all 32 counties for distribution to clubs across the Gaelic Games family is a testament to their unwavering commitment to the community and the spirit of Gaelic Games.

Uachtarán Hilda Breslin conveyed her deep gratitude, stating, “We would like to express our sincere appreciation to JP 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.”

"JP McManus’s enduring support of Gaelic Games is a testament to his dedication to fostering the growth and prosperity of at the grassroots level.

"The Camogie Association looks forward to the positive impact this donation will have on clubs across the nation, empowering them to continue their essential role within local communities.