A BALLYMAC woman won an impressive €62,000 on Winning Streak almost five years after she first appeared on a National Lottery TV game show, last Saturday 9th November.

Ita Neligan won a hefty €62,000 in cash which dwarfs the €2,000 she won when she took part in the Crack the Code game on the Million Euro Challenge game show on RTE One back in April 2015, then presented by Nicky Byrne.

Ita revealed was sitting on the edge of her seat watching Winning Streak two weeks ago as she knew she had a scratch card with three stars in the draw.

Four names had been drawn out and she was about to lose hope when the final ticket was pulled from the drum and her name was read out.

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She shouted the house down and was jumping around the living room with her husband Richard in celebration.

Ita lives with Richard, a farmer, and the couple have adult sons (Michael and Eoghan) who both live in Auckland, New Zealand. The boys were last home in August when Michael got married in Killarney to his wife Noreen but they were all watching keenly on the RTÉ Player on Saturday evening – even though they were 13 hours ahead.

Back in August before the lads returned to Auckland, Ita and Richard promised them that they would spend Christmas 2020 in New Zealand so the first thing Ita is going to do her winnings from the show is to book flights to see her family for this time next year. She also wants to give the family house a bit of a facelift and do some redecorating in time for Christmas.

Richard was cheering her on from the studio alongside five of Ita’s eight sisters, Joan, Bridie (Both twins), Peggy, Anne and Mary, and a number of other close friends.

In her spare time Ita likes helping out with the animals on the farm and loves the occasional game of bingo.