JP McManus to donate €1m to Gaelic games in each county

Businessman JP McManus is to donate €1 million to Gaelic games in every county in Ireland.

The money is to be used equally in support of men's football, women's football, hurling and camogie.

The donation is expected to arrive to each county's GAA board in the coming days, for distribution to clubs across all codes by 31 January next year.

In one letter to a county board seen by RTÉ Sport, McManus wrote: "With Limerick's success in the GAA in recent years, we have seen the joy that this can bring on and off the field and how it enhances the spirit, camaraderie and confidence of communities, urban and rural.

"My family and I greatly value the spirit and meaning of community and our GAA, Camogie and Ladies Gaelic Football clubs who are at the heart of communities right throughout the island."

Previously McManus donated €100,000 to each county board in the country in 2018.

McManus is reportedly a tax resident in Switzerland.

In a statement, Limerick GAA, who were first to publicly confirm the €1m donation, expressed its gratitude to McManus, who is a long-time backer of his home county.

"We are delighted with the news today from the JP & Noreen McManus and family and their exceptionally generous donation," said chairperson Seamus McNamara.

"The clubs are the bedrock of the GAA and this will help in a time when costs are increasing for clubs to manage their funds.

"We are exceptionally grateful to JP, Noreen & all the Mc Manus family for this fantastic donation."

However, as with his donations five year ago, the move was not universally welcomed, with Social Democrat TD for Wicklow Jennifer Whitmore suggesting on X that it would be better if tax exile McManus contributed more to the Irish exchequer.

"I know this is a stretch.. but maybe