Leaving Cert student wins €52,000 from Ballintubber GAA

A local student will earn €1,000 a week for an entire year after her name appeared on the winning ticket in Ballintubber’s ‘Win52k’ draw.

Niamh Feerick from Burriscarra was at home studying for her Leaving Cert when her mother, Breege, rang her to tell her the good news after the draw took place at Ray Prendergast Memorial Park in Clogher, last Sunday.

Niamh travelled just over a kilometre over the road to Ballintubber GAA’s clubhouse in Clogher, where she was congratulated by her neighbour, Ronan Mannion, who sold her the winning ticket.

The 18-year-old is a past student of Gaelscoil Raifteirí in Castlebar and Balla Secondary School and is currently studying in the Institute of Education in Dublin. She currently works in a pharmacist’s shop and hopes to study pharmacy in college.

She is the daughter of Justin and Breege Feerick and the sister of Daithi and Seán Feerick, who both play with Ballintubber GAA.

Niamh bought her ticket for the draw just hours before the draw took place after some initial reluctance.

“I’m absolutely delighted. I’m sitting my Leaving Cert in two days’ time, so pressure’s on! I'm absolutely thrilled,” an overjoyed Niamh said afterwards.

Her winning ticket was pulled by Michael Corrigan of Corrigan Stores, a long-time sponsor and supporter of the club.

Caroline Gough was the winner of one of two fabulous consolation prizes when she won a €1,000 voucher for Broderick’s Electrical after her name was pulled from the drum. The other winner was Brid Corley, who won two nights B&B for the Westport Hotel Group.

Pat Barrett, Cathaoirleach of Ballintubber GAA, thanked everyone who helped make the Win52k draw such an outstanding success.

“I want to thank everyone who purchased a ticket for our Win52k draw, which was one of the biggest and most successful fundraisers the club has ever held,” said Barrett.

“I would like to sincerely thank our members for the countless selfless hours of work they have put into selling tickets for this fundraiser, which will help us invest in our facilities and help us continue to create a sporting environment that is inclusive and enjoyable for all.

“I also want to thank the shops and venues throughout Mayo and Galway that gave us permission to sell tickets outside your premises. The response at your doors was brilliant and your support and cooperation was vital to the success of this fundraiser. I also want to pay a special tribute to our club executive, particularly our Treasurer Sean McHugh and our Secretary Liz Conway, for their tireless work making this fundraiser a success.”

Barrett added: “Our club has enjoyed unprecedented success on the field over the past 15 years, none of which would have been possible without the Trojan work of our volunteers. In order to continue that success, we have invested considerably in our facilities by installing an Astroturf, a new car park and gym facilities in Ballintubber and delivering a state-of-the-art clubhouse at our home ground in Clogher. The success of Win52k will allow us to continue investing in our facilities and continue to make Ballintubber GAA something we can all be truly proud of.”

Sean McHugh, Treasurer of Ballintubber GAA, said there had been an‘incredibly generous’ response to the Win52k draw.

He also paid tribute to Pat Barrett for his leadership, commitment and hard work since the launch of the Win52k draw in December 2023.

The club intends to use the funds raised from the draw to invest in floodlights at their home pitch in Clogher.

Ballintubber GAA’s facilities are used by large numbers of men, women, boys and girls from U-6s to senior level representing both Ballintubber GAA and Carnacon LGFA.

The club has won five Mayo Senior Football Championship titles since 2010 and has had a number of its players represent Mayo at various grades in recent years.