A lotto, lotto luck in Swanlinbar

It was a case of lightning striking twice for one Co Cavan woman after she scooped the top prize in the Swanlinbar GAA lotto during the October Bank Holiday weekend - for the second time - using the same numbers! Mary McAuley from the town, scooped a massive €10,000 on the occasion, “a welcome boost to the finances” as Christmas approaches.

But it wasn’t the first time she hit the jackpot. Ten years ago, in December 2014, Mary struck gold for the first time when her numbers landed her an €8,300 jackpot in the local GAA club’s lotto.

At the time, she was preparing for her wedding so the win “was a great bonus for us”, she laughed while speaking to Celt.

“I use the same numbers all the time; they are our birthday dates and I certainly have been very lucky with them, that’s for sure. It really is lovely.” And, asked if she was born under a lucky star, Mary replied:

“Well, I don’t know about that! But I’ll keep doing these same numbers anyway.

“It’s hard to believe that the same numbers came out again for me. I have three children now, Méabh, Caoimhe and Fiachra so this latest win certainly was a bonus. I’m delighted.”