Donegal GAA bumper €250,000 draw prize goes to Mayo!
There was a real sense of excitement at Jackson’s Hotel, Ballybofey, on Sunday evening as Donegal GAA’s quarter-of-a-million draw winner was announced.
Master of ceremonies, Noel Cunningham, with plenty of assistance from Highland Radio’s Oisin Kelly, welcomed guest trio Martin Carney, Martin McNally and Eamon McGee to the stage to help set the scene.
With independent observer Garda Ciara Gibbons present, supporters from across the county and, indeed, further afield, tuned in for the eagerly anticipated main event, with one lucky ticket holder, Anne Duffin, Ballina, Mayo, eventually walking away with the top prize of €250,000.
Initial attempts to contact the winner by telephone proved unsuccessful but when Ms Duffin was finally got hold of, it transpired she was only exiled in Mayo and was, in fact, an Ardara native!
Four €1,000 prize winners were also pulled out of the draw drum, and they were: Brendan O’Neill, Meath; Anne Bradley, Buncrana; Joseph Carlin, Buncrana and Mark McDowd, Letterkenny.
Prior to the official proceedings getting underway, a minute’s silence in memory of the late Enda Bonner of CLG An Clochan Liath, also a former Donegal senior footballer, senator and councillor, was observed.
A moving video tribute was also paid to Donegal legend James McHugh and wife Noreen, Kilcar, who tragically lost their lives in a road traffic collision in Co Cavan earlier this month.
Another former Donegal player, Na Rossa’s Sean Bonner, who is currently in hospital in Dublin in a serious condition, was told he was in everyone’s thoughts and prayers right now. Sean is of course, the brother of 1992 All-Ireland winner Declan Bonner.
Chairperson Mary Coughlan could certainly hold her own when she took to the stage opposite the razor-sharp Cunningham to set the early tone for the evening.
The draw, which was a major fundraising initiative for Donegal GAA, will provide vital support for the continued development of facilities at the Donegal GAA Training Centre in Convoy.
Signing off for the evening, chairperson Mary Coughlan said: “I’d just like to say thank you to each and everyone of you for being here and those tuning in from further afield.
“This draw will be crucial to the developments we’re going to have in Convoy and I look forward to your continued support for our own club championships.
“And Martin Carney, keep that cup warm and safe because we’re coming for it in 2027!”