Shane Lowry to take part in Offaly GAA fundraising walk this weekend

Shane Lowry will take some time out from his busy schedule to participate in a fundraising walk for Offaly GAA this weekend, it has been confirmed.

In a message on social media at lunchtime today (Wednesday), the Offaly county board said it was delighted to announce that the golf ace would be taking part in the 2022 Grand Canal Walk.

The event, which is being held on Saturday (July 9) will see each of the 41 GAA clubs in the county nominate walkers to walk 5km within their own club area, or along the Grand Canal, whichever suits best.

Each walker and club is being asked to upload a short video of their walk, and all of the money raised from the event will be split on a 50:50 basis between Offaly GAA and the respective clubs.

The county board said the money raised by Shane Lowry on Saturday would go towards Offaly GAA.

The 35-year-old Clara man is the most famous supporter and benefactor of Gaelic games in Offaly.

The former Open Championship winner was playing in the Irish Open during last Sunday's heartbreaking All-Ireland final defeat for the Offaly minor hurlers against Tipperary.

"I was told going to the 17th tee that we'd won," Shane said afterwards. "Then I stood on the 17th tee, and saw my brother, and he gave me the thumbs down. A goal in the last minute.

"It's devastating for those young lads. That's sport, isn't it? I've been on the wrong side of a lot of results.

"I had my Offaly jersey in the bag. I was tempted to put it on walking down 18 if they'd won. If you take the positives from it, you'll be ok. Obviously, it's going to be a hard few days for them. I'm gutted for them, gutted for Michael Duignan, gutted for everyone behind the scenes."

More than 170 participants have signed up for the Grand Canal Walk and close to €50,000 has been raised to date. More information can be found on the event's website here.