Fanning hoping his luck will hold

IT’S a bit of a cliché, isn’t it, a team wins the championship, a player is asked how it feels – “like winning the Lotto” is the popular reply.

Well, if Tipperary beat Cork in the first round of the Munster SHC, and go on to win the All-Ireland, Declan Fanning will be in the rather unique position where he’ll actually be able to compare.

A few months ago, as part of a syndicate in the Coolmore Stud where he works as a mechanic, Fanning did win the Lotto — or a share in it at least. He and seven others matched five numbers plus the bonus in the Lotto+ draw, and won between them the regular prize of a mere €3,500, plus the €100,000 worth of diamonds bonus prize, it being Valentine’s and all that.