98,630 Irish punters in Euromillions prizes

ALMOST 100,000 Irish players scooped cash prizes in Friday night’s Euromillions draw.

The largest jackpot of the year – €109million – produced 98,630 Irish winners including two big hitters in Dublin city and Co Wexford.

The biggest share went to Wexford where a player pocketed the Match 5 + Lucky Star prize of €269,554 with a Quick Pick ticket sold on the day at the Gwalia Store in Gorey.

Owner Maureen Breen said she was overjoyed. She added: “We are in complete shock. We are a small local shop in a small hard-working community and this will bring a huge boost to the town.

“We had a queue for Euromillions tickets and knowing that one of those lucky players has won over a quarter of a million in my shop is so satisfying.” A Dublin player scooped the Match 5 prize of €25,117 after buying their Quick Pick at Supervalu on Aston Quay on draw day.

A National Lottery spokesman said: “It was certainly an exceptional result.

“With such a huge amount of prize winners, we would urge all players to check their tickets.”

Meanwhile, two punters hit the jackpot when their Lotto numbers were drawn in the Euromillions, seeing them scoop a combined €82,502.50.

The first placed a €2 bet in one of Boylesports’ Cork shops on 9, 12, 19 and 30 which netted them €66,002. The second staked just 50c in a Co Monaghan shop on 9, 11, 12 and 19 which returned €16,500.50.

Boylesports’ Aoife Heffron added: “We are sure there will be big celebrations in Cork and Monaghan.”