Offaly GAA is in mourning after the shock death of Jimmy Lowry.
Jimmy, who is the uncle of golf star Shane Lowry, passed away suddenly during the week.
Shane is currently competing in the Honda Classic in Florida and is wearing a green and white ribbon on his hat, the colours of Jimmy's beloved Ferbane GAA.
And the Offaly GAA club posted a loving tribute to the stalwart on social media as they confirmed the sad news.
The post reads: "Jimmy Lowry took justifiable pride in bearing a surname that is synonymous with the GAA in Ferbane, Offaly and far further afield.
"While the immense on-field contribution of his illustrious footballing brothers may have overshadowed Jimmy’s service to Gaelic Games, his own impact stands tall against any measurement.
"Jimmy’s commitment, dedication and loyalty to Ferbane GAA extended way beyond what could be expected of any one man – two terms as Club Chairman, the first covering almost all of the nineties and retaining the chair in 2007 and 2008, two terms as vice chairman, numerous years on the club committee, often as Safety Officer, and years of service on Ferbane Hurling Committee, a playing career focused on the small ball that saw success with Ferbane Hurlers, and, not least, a respected referee whose sharp wit, lack of ego and unfussy handling of players enhanced the games under his charge.
"Despite the prominence of some of his official roles Jimmy never sought the limelight, though he would get a great kick out of his nephew Shane, in whom he had immense pride, marking his passing with a green and white ribbon in his head gear at the Honda Classic – a lovely appreciation of his uncle.
"His self-deprecating manner endeared him to all who knew him, but none more so than his beloved grandchildren Finn, Shay, Emmy, Adam, and Dara whose granddad could turn a trip to the bog into a memorable adventure. Whenever and wherever - and it could be anywhere – one met Jimmy, you always left his company with a smile on your face and some mighty stories to retell, though you might be advised to check their veracity before sharing too widely.
"Jimmy Lowry worked hard all his life, with a tremendous work ethic that served his club very well, and he refused to allow ill health over almost two decades to dampen his enthusiasm for hard graft. He was a character in the best sense of the term, and his premature passing deprives Ferbane of a man whose generosity of spirit and sense of devilment and craic were renowned.
"But it deprives his family of so much more – all at Ferbane GAA extend our heartfelt sympathy to his wife Alice, son Brian and wife Claire, daughter Jennifer and husband Mark, son James and partner Caitriona, Jimmy’s pride and joy - his grandchildren Finn, Shay, Emmy, Adam and Dara, his brothers and sisters Sean, Eamon, Mikie, Joe, Brendan, Tommy, Mary, Rose and Eileen, and Alice’s Fitzgerald siblings and all of their wider families."
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