Ireland’s latest Lotto winners will consider themselves lucky. But one in particular knows she is even luckier.
Maria Doherty from Clonmany, Co Donegal, was one of 13 members of a syndicate that won €4,871,046 in the Lotto on Wednesday night.
Ms Doherty (21) only started work at the office that picked the winning numbers three days before. In fact, she had only joined the Lotto syndicate of Forward Emphasis International in Malin Head just hours before its numbers came up.
A delighted Ms Doherty said she must be the luckiest girl in Ireland – and she only put in the €2 entry fee to the syndicate because she had some change in her pocket. Ms Doherty’s share of the winning ticket was €374,695.
Early payday
“I just can’t believe it,” she said. “I only started the job on Monday and didn’t expect my first pay cheque until next month. But I’m getting paid after just three days’ work, and I’m getting an amount I’d have to work for 25 years to get.
“When they asked me did I want to enter, I said yeah, sure, why not. I never in my wildest dreams expected to win, and if I didn’t have the €2 on me, I probably wouldn’t have done it, as I don’t regularly do the Lotto.
Fellow winner James Bradley, a soccer player with Cockhill Celtic, was also part of the syndicate. “It’s just an unbelievable feeling,” he said. “My manager at Cockhill Celtic, Donal O’Brien, will probably be looking for me to reinvest in our squad for next season.”
His thoughts were turning to the All-Ireland. He now firmly believes that Donegal’s luck is in for their big game at Croke Park against Kerry on Sunday.
“Let’s hope it’s a treble for Donegal now, the Lotto, and a double for the Minors and Seniors,” said Mr Bradley.
Holiday on the horizon
Another one of the lucky 13 was Anne-Marie McFadden, who said the syndicate were already discussing holiday plans but they had to ensure there would be enough cover at work.
“We’re all just so delighted,” Ms McFadden said. “The fact that 13 different people shared it means that a lot of people are going to be made very happy. There’s already chat about going on holidays, but we’ll have to make sure the cover is there.”
She said the winners met for breakfast yesterday morning to discuss their win and pinch each other to prove they weren’t all just dreaming it.
One of the group, Claire McElhinney, is on holiday in Tenerife but is trying to get an early flight back to join the celebrations.