Mary lands Rovers’ lotto largest jackpot
MARY McHugh has been playing the weekly Sligo Rovers lotto in Tesco Arcade, for many years buying her ticket from the great Rovers stalwart, the late Mickey Robinson.
Mary has been using the same numbers since she started playing the lotto – 1, 8, 20, 26, based on family birthdays. Following the Rovers lotto draw on Monday 27th June Pat Wallace of the lotto crew made the short journey from the Showgrounds to Mary’s home in Jinks venue to bring the news she had just won € 18,200, the biggest jackpot since the club lottery was established over twenty years ago.
Sligo Rovers Chairman Martin Heraghty congratulated Mary on her success; ‘ It is extra special when a regular lotto subscriber wins the jackpot, and Mary has been a loyal customer for many years. The lottery is one of our most important fund- raisers, in the last year alone it has contributed almost € 130,000 to the club. It certainly exceeds any comparable lottery in terms of prize- money, in the last year we have awarded € 28,200 in jackpots and Match 3 prizes.
“It also provides members of the community who may not be avid followers with an opportunity to support their local club.’
Rovers Lottery Administrator Frank Beirne believes the frequency of jackpot wins explains its enduring popularity, and he paid tribute to the many volunteers who have been long- serving members of the lottery team: ‘ The success of the lottery is due to the people giving of their time week in, week out to deliver, sell and check tickets, and their contribution is greatly appreciated. We have also increased the options for playing in recent years, people can buy a ticket in the normal way from our lotto stand or from one of our agents, they can buy an annual lotto card and an increasing number of subscribers are playing on- line, which is a great way from Rovers supporters living or working away from home to take part.’ For more details on the Rovers lotto go to sligorovers. com.