TIPPERARY GAA county board has defended a decision by controversial TD Michael Lowry to “co-sponsor” suits for the Tipperary senior hurling panel.

Mr Lowry posted a picture of the team kitted out in their new suits this evening, with the message: “Very happy to have been in a position to co-sponsor the suits for the Tipp Panel. Good luck on Sunday lads. Up Tipp.”

Tipperary face Kilkenny in the All Ireland final this Sunday.

Secretary Tim Floyd explained Mr Lowry “got a consortium of people together and organised the suits” and added “we’re not aware of who’s financially investing in it”.

But Mr Floyd backed the former county board member’s involvement, stating: “He’s very much involved in GAA in the county, and we wouldn’t have a problem with him. He’s a genuine GAA man, as far as we’re concerned.”Mr Lowry, a father of three, is a former Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications in John Bruton’s Rainbow Coalition government.

He was first elected to the Dail for Fine Gael in 1987. He was appointed to Mr Bruton’s Cabinet following the collapse of Albert Reynolds’ Fianna Fail-Labour Coalition in late 1994. Mr Lowry resigned his position in November 1996.

Online Editors