CHAMPION golfer Shane Lowry is to financially support Offaly GAA for the next five years.
The 2019 Open Championship winner will assist the county's commercial and fundraising initiatives.
It is hoped this will help improve its underage coaching programmes and develop educational bursaries for young players.
Mr Lowry's GAA pedigree is well-established.
His father Brendan and uncles Seán and Mick won All-Ireland medals in 1982 as part of the Offaly side that famously stopped Kerry completing five in a row.
Offaly GAA chairman Michael Duignan said he was excited by the prospect of working with Mr Lowry 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," he said.
"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."
