Limerick stars hail 'sound' and 'humble' JP McManus

Limerick duo Kyle Hayes and Aaron Gillane have praised JP McManus after he donated €100,000 to every county board in Ireland.

News of long-time Limerick GAA backer McManus' donation was hugely well received this week. The businessman and racehorse owner pledged the money to each county to be split evenly amongst all clubs.

The GAA hailed the donation, describing it as "unprecedented". For Limerick hurlers Hayes and Gillane, it came as no surprise.

"JP is the most down to earth man ever," said Hayes. "If you didn't know his face he wouldn't stand out or anything.

"It doesn't really surprise me to be honest because he's very, very generous. He has nearly a hand in everything in Limerick that's being built and he's always donating money. So it didn't actually surprise me. He's a sound man, to be fair to him."

Gillane echoed the sentiment, stating McManus was not doing it for publicity.

"It was some donation," he said. "Even the few times we've met him, he was so humble - pure down to earth, a real normal person. He's not doing this looking for praise off anyone. He genuinely just likes helping people and that's why he's doing it. It is great that he's getting the plaudits but that's not why he's doing it."

It gave Gillane and his Limerick teammates a real pleasure to present long-time Treaty supporter McManus with the Liam MacCarthy Cup in August.

"He made known that he wanted Limerick to win Liam MacCarthy before he died," Gillane said. "The effort he's put into Limerick and everything he's done for Limerick, I think that's the least we could do for him. Hopefully, touch wood, we'll do it a few more times for him in the next few years."