Magician's prediction hits bookies
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HE looked into his oval-shaped crystal ball and delivered the country's rugby fans a six-figure cash bonanza.
Illusionist and magician Keith Barry was the toast of the rugby set after his prediction, made on radio last week, that Leinster would beat Leicester by a margin of three points to lift the Heineken Cup.
Paddy Power lost over €500,000 thanks to the Leinster triumph. And almost half of this, some €225,000, was paid out on bets of a three-point win.
But despite his confident prediction coming to pass, Barry admitted to feeling a little bit of pressure as the seconds ticked away at Murrayfield on Saturday. "I was screaming at the TV for Leinster not to score another try at the end," he said.
"It's great. It's the first time I've ever made an open prediction like that which came true, I decided it was about time I put my money where my mouth is. Nobody thought they'd win by exactly three points, that's why the odds were 19/1."
He was inundated with calls yesterday as grateful friends thanked him for lining their pockets courtesy of the bookies.
- Breda Heffernan
