FORMER CORK CITY and current Preston North End defender Kevin O’Connor was the surprise winner of a €1 million National Lottery raffle over the weekend.
The 22-year-old validated his winning ticket at his local supermarket in Castlebridge this morning after it had been bought and posted to him by his uncle as a gift.
The Enniscorthy native moved to Preston alongside team-mate Sean Maguire in July and was crowned a double winner with City in November; helping John Caulfield’s side to both the Premier Division and FAI Cup titles.
The footballer was given the winning ticket by his godfather Peadar Murphy, who purchased it on 14 December at Flanagan’s Centra Supermarket.
“Unknown to me, our local store in Castlebridge was announced as the winning shop for the Millionaire Raffle and my mam phoned me in a panic and told me to start looking for the ticket!,” said O’Connor on Tuesday.
“After some searching, I sent them a picture of the ticket but I never really believed that it was the winner of the €1 million prize. We (Preston North End) had a game with Middlesbrough on Monday night so I completely put it to the back of my head until after the final whistle.”
He added: “It’s been an incredible two days and I don’t think the win has sunk in yet. I have no immediate plans but will take a few days before we make any decisions.
“The important part of today was having my family with me so they will be at the forefront of any plans.
“My main focus at the moment is to help Preston climb the Championship and hopefully challenge for a Premier League spot over the next couple of months.”
He will return to England having collected his winnings from National Lottery HQ in Dublin as Preston prepare to face Wycombe Wanderers in the FA Cup on Saturday.
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Good for him, go and enjoy it now don’t mind the begrudgers as I’m sure there will be many.
@Mick12: Will be interesting to see how his career goes from here, will the release from the pressure of making his financial future secure allow him to play without pressure or fear, or will he suffer from a lack of motivation? Very interesting to see how he fares, best of luck to him anyways.
@the druid: how about living mortgage/rent free?
We won €500 and were delighted. My article is out tomorrow. :)
@Honeybadger197: were? That didn’t last long
@Dave O Keeffe: You’ll find out why only in tomorrows journal.ie!
His immediate plan should be to send Peadar a 6 figure sum.
@Shane Gleeson: Hard to believe but Peadar income tax at 30% on anything he gets
@Tony Talbot: Hard to believe because it is not true. The gift will be taxed under C.A.T. not income tax. Which is 33% with a tax free allowance of 16,250 for a transfer between nephew and uncle.
@Mary Murphy: It’s 32,500 tax free to an immediate relative Mary, but nice knowledge nonetheless. He could give 32,500 to a few family members and they could then pass on a portion to the uncle so that he could get a lot more tax free, there’s ways and means around everything ;-)
@Johnny: too right there is jonny …..were there’s a Will there’s a way….or the new one were there’s a Will theirs a relative……..
She’s alright!!
@gold3n: She looks about 13
@oh i dunno: I dunno….
Footballer tick the box. Nice looking bird tick the box. And finally one million yo-yo tick the box. Not bad eh.
@Kevin McCarthy: if he was on jumpers go goalposts he would nearly be due to retire at this stage of the game
Lol!! Fantastic stuff lad.. some life you’re having. Best of luck. Real quality solid full back too
Of all people…. a professional footballer. smh.
Huge congrats
Lads.. what are ye getting excited about. Sure it’s only 4 weeks wages for some of dem ejits….
@Dead Ball Browne: there’s always one.
@Dead Ball Browne: man working for apple wins lotto, sure what are ye getting about.. that’s only a few weeks wages for some of those fellas..
I honestly can’t wait for the comments on this one!
@Link: what like, good on ya, well done, fair play to you son..?
@Noel James Doherty: actually pleasantly surprised about that!
He should donate it all and his future earnings to the homeless
@Martin: Wouldn’t he become homeless himself then?
@Mr J. Skankhammer: yes that’s true but it would be worth it….. to help the homeless
hilarious comments :D