Former footballers make their point

SHANE LOWRY and Paul Dunne aren’t just brilliant golfers, they’re also handy with a Gaelic football in hand.

The Irish duo went through their paces in a special Bank of Ireland-sponsored event at the Ballyliffin academy yesterday, taking on Donegal captain Michael Murphy and Kerry star Kieran Donaghy in a shooting exhibition. A goal was set up especially for the occasion, with a bullseye hanging from the crossbar.

Left-footed Dunne played with Eire Óg in Greystones up to U-14 level while Lowry (above) played for Clara as a minor but lamented losing every county final to Tullamore.

“As a footballer, I was probably just above average,” Lowry said. “I played for Clara, but never played underage for Offaly. I was a bit of a cornerforward, obviously not too light on my feet, but when I got the ball in my hands, I knew where the goals were.

“I was a free-taker too, a good man to kick a point back then. If I was of a better standard, there might have been a bit of an argument for me to keep playing football.”