The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
THE stars have aligned for well-known Ennis man John Cullinane, who is set to make an appearance on television’s Winning Streak tonight (Saturday).
The retired public servant found it hard to believe his neighbours when they told him his name was pulled out of the drum to appear on the show. He had to watch the rerun the following day just to rest his mind.
John was at an anniversary mass for his parents, which was in a rural church, so he missed Winning Streak. When he and Anne went into the local hotel bar later that evening, the neighbour called over to him and said, “John, I hear you’re in the money now!”
Seventy-three-year-old John worked for the Mid-West Health Board before his retirement and describes himself as a “very proactive person”.
He is an avid golfer and works on his handicap at Ennis Golf Club. He is also president of the Clare region of St Vincent de Paul, which he has been involved in for a long time. In addition, he is a member of the retired business professional group ProBus.
John has been married to Anne for 20 years and she will be cheering him on from the audience with John’s three adult children, Gráinne, Caoimhe and Shane, along with John’s nine grandchildren. He has Anne to thank for his television appearance, as she bought the scratch card for him.
In fact, she bought them both a scratch card and they both got three stars. However, Anne’s scratch card wasn’t sent in until this week, so maybe Anne will get chosen during the show. While John is keeping quiet on plans for any winnings, he did hint that he would like a holiday.
Winning Streak will be broadcast at 8.30pm on RTÉ One.
