Retired Mayo naval officer on a Winning Streak

A RETIRED naval officer from Co. Mayo, now living in Cork, won €31,000 on the National Lottery Winning Streak TV game show on RTÉ One last Saturday.

Martin Doran, originally from Bangor Erris, moved to Cork to join the Navy in 1975. He met his wife of 41 years, Christine, soon after.

Martin retired in 2017 after 42 years service and ended his naval career as a Warrant Officer.

The couple have two daughters, Michelle and Carol, and are proud grandparents to six grandkids (Sarah, Daniel, Ryan, Leah, Conor and Eoin). All cheered Martin on from the audience last weekend.

Martin has been inundated with good luck cards from neighbours and is really appreciative of the support all week.

He comes from a large family, being one of 14 siblings in his house in Mayo growing up. He has brothers and sisters all over the world (in London, Spain and Chicago) as well as in Mayo so there was a big contingent from Mayo and Cork supporting him on the night.

Martin is a huge GAA fan and still has a great love for Mayo GAA – in fact his daughters are Mayo fans even though they are living in Cork all their lives.

He has no firm plans for his winnings from the show only that he will look after the family and get presents for the grandkids.