Sgt. John on Winning Streak Trip to San Fransisco

Bernadette Hanrahan and John O'Mahony, from  Kerry, pictured here enjoying the views of Rams Gate Winery, Sonoma, California after they were joined by 43 other lucky Winning Streak players and their guests, who jetted off to San Francisco for a 6-day trip of a lifetime thanks to the National Lottery. Pic. Robbie Reynolds
Bernadette Hanrahan and Sgt. John O’Mahony, pictured here enjoying the views of Rams Gate Winery, Sonoma, California after they were joined by 43 other lucky Winning Streak players and their guests, who jetted off to San Francisco for a 6-day trip of a lifetime thanks to the National Lottery. Pic. Robbie Reynolds

Forty-four lucky Winning Streak TV Gameshow winners from all over Ireland and their 44 guests jetted off to San Francisco for a six day luxury break on Friday 22 August 2014 with €2,500 spending money in their pockets. Among the lucky 44 was Castleisland based Sgt. John O’Mahony and his partner, Bernadette Hanrahan.

The excited winners won the prize on the National Lottery’s Winning Streak TV Gameshow during the January – May season. Gameshow host Marty Whelan accompanied the winners on their fun filled trip of a lifetime. For many winners, it was their first visit to the USA.

2FM’s Rick O’Shea Show broadcast live from San Francisco on Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 August 2014 and trip winners were involved in these broadcasts.

“Here at the National Lottery we’re delighted to make dreams come true for 44 winners and their guests by sending them on a trip of a lifetime to San Francisco,” said Dermot Griffin, Chief Executive, National Lottery.

Once in San Francisco, the group members were transported by coach to the luxurious Fairmont Hotel which in recent times hosted US President Barack Obama.

On Sunday evening, the winners enjoyed a delicious gala dinner at the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco Bay. The restaurant boasts incredible views of the famous Golden Gate Bridge.

The group also visited the Rams Gate Winery in Sonoma where they sampled some of the regions finest wines. The winners returned to Dublin on Thursday 28 August 2014.

National Lottery good causes benefit from the sale of all National Lottery games, with one third of all sales (approx) going to fund beneficiary projects around the country, as designated by Government.

Since the National Lottery was launched, over €4.4 billion has been raised for good causes. This level of funding has made a significant difference to communities, projects and individuals in the areas of Youth, Sports, Recreation & Amenities; Health & Welfare; Arts, Culture & National Heritage and the Irish Language.

Sgt. John is from the North Kerry village of Ballyduff and lives in Tralee.

He is separated and has three grown up children –  Laura, 25, Ciaran, 22, Orla 17. He is with his partner Bernadette Hanrahan for four years and this is their first ‘big’ holiday together.

John’s son, Ciaran, is currently on his J1 in San Francisco and is playing football there. Ciaran played for the Kerry Under 21 Team. Ciaran says San Francisco is the best place he has ever been in his life.

A Garda Sergeant in Castleisland, he’s 35 years working as a Garda. He enjoys the work. He was based in Dublin for 12 years from 1979 and is back in Kerry since 1991.

A devoted follower of Gaelic Football he missed the drawn All Ireland Semi Final involving Kerry Vs Mayo – as he was San Francisco but had hoped to see it there. He has visited New York but has never visited San Francisco.

John cycles around 100 miles a week for leisure and has been doing that for the past 12 years. He is a member of the Garda Hill Walking club in Co. Kerry and walks in Kerry and West Cork.

John has never won anything in his life. His uncle Patrick Wynne won this prize and as John is his favourite nephew, he decided to send him to San Francisco in his place.

John was looking forward to seeing Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge.

He’s also a regular traveller to Manchester with Georgie O’Callaghan’s annual touring part and he’s a founder of the annual Garda / KDYS Soccer Tournament in Castleisland.