Limerick nurse wins €32,000 on Winning Streak game show

Self-proclaimed animal-lover, Shirley Leen from Newcastle West bagged a handsome €32,000 in cash during her appearance on Winning Streak at the weekend.

Shirley, who was one of five contestants on the RTÉ One TV show, raised a laugh during the programme when she told presenters Marty Whelan and Sinead Kennedy the hilarious story of how she found out she was selected to appear on the show – while in the middle of watching a film at her local cinema.

Shirley, a nurse by profession, was at the movies watching “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” when her phone started buzzing and saw she had a missed call from her sister Carol.

When Carol came into the theatre few minutes later Shirley thought the worst and admitted every bad scenario she could think of entered her head in those few split seconds.

However it was nothing but good news as Carol told her her name had been pulled out of the Drum to appear on the National Lottery game show.

Shirley, who frequently volunteers with Limerick Animal Welfare, had a “loud Limerick crowd” in tow with her at the RTÉ studios in Dublin on Saturday including her mum Rita, her siblings Carol and Billy as well as other friends and family.

One person who didn’t make the journey is her camera-shy dad, Willie, who watched his daughter from home alongside the beloved family pet dog, Gizmo, a Yorkshire Terrier.

Shirley, who bought her winning scratch card at Dooley’s Supervalu in Newcastle West says she will donate some of her winnings to Limerick Animal Welfare. 

A total of €156,000 was won during Saturday’s game show.