COLUMN: Lowry's Offaly GAA contribution goes far deeper than mere finance Reporter: '); '); IT was easy to understand the excitement in the Offaly GAA world last week when a new partnership was announced between the County Board and golfer Shane Lowry. The basic nuts and bolts of the partnership is that Lowry will donate a yearly figure to the County Board for each of the next five years. That figure remains undisclosed but it is certain to end up as a significant six-figure sum. The money will be ring-fenced for the development of Offaly underage footballers and hurlers. It will be used in particular to fund the appointment of more full time coaches. A number of clubs have put full-time coaches in place, either themselves or by joining together as Birr, Drumcullen and Seir Kieran have done most recently with St Rynagh's man Adrian Clancy. The scheme is part-funded by the clubs themselves, Leinster Council and the Offaly GAA County Board.