31-YEAR-OLD Matea Marzic, who left her native Croatia for a better life in Ireland around eight years ago, has won a dream home in Adare, the top prize in a monster fundraising draw for Limerick GAA.
Remarkably, a shocked Matea and her husband Dino were present for the live draw at Fitzgerald’s Woodlands House Hotel in Adare this past Sunday night (August 18).
“We came into Ireland to secured a little bit of a better future for ourselves, and it has panned out really, really good for us now,” an ecstatic Matea said.
“I still can’t believe it. It’s such a beautiful apartment in such a stunning location. We have been driving past it every day for the past eight years. I saw the advert for the raffle on social media and just said why not.”
The couple had been renting of late in Kilcornan.
The home in question is a two-bedroom apartment at Fisherman’s Wharf, Station Road, Adare valued at €360,000.
The winning ticket, number 10,179, was drawn by Limerick Senior Hurling selector Donal O’Grady of Ballingarry.
Tickets were priced at €100, and promoters, Club Limerick/Limerick GAA, raised €1.16 million from the exercise from homeowning hopefuls from Limerick and far, far beyond.
“I just want to thank everybody who supported us and bought tickets since we launched the fundraiser. The reaction in Limerick and all over the country as well as across the world has been fantastic,” said Seán Scanlan, chairperson of the Win A Home In Adare committee and of Club Limerick.
Funds raised are towards the creation of a Centre of Excellence at Crecora.
“We are at the start of something special as we develop and build this new centre of excellence. We have big plans for more exciting events and fundraisers in the future so please continue to support us. We really appreciate it,” added Mr Scanlan.
