GAA star ties knot in private

KERRY football star Tomás Ó Sé and his long-time sweetheart, Hillary Nic Eoin, both 29, got married this week and didn’t tell their families until the last minute.

Only the couple, their two-year-old son Micheál, and witnesses, Aodan Mac Gearailt and his fiancée, Janet Ryan, were in Killarney registry office for the ceremony, on Tuesday.

Hillary phoned her mother, Ann Nic Eoin, from Baile na nGall, near Dingle, just before they tied the knot.

Tomás, the holder of four All-Ireland medals, is understood to have sent text messages to his family and close friends.

Along with the witnesses and Micheál, they celebrated at a private dinner in a Cork hotel.

Aodan Mac Gearailt is a life-long friend and plays for the Gaeltacht football team with Tomás.

Ann Nic Eoin said she was delighted for her daughter and new son-in-law.

“They’re a lovely couple and I know they’ll be very happy together,” she said.

Tomás did not attend a Kerry team training session in Killarney on Tuesday night, but his brother, Marc, informed teammates of the good news.

Tomás, one of three footballing brothers who received All-Star awards last year, is a teacher at the Gaelscoil de hIde, in Fermoy, Co Cork.

Hillary is a secondary teacher at Mount Mercy College in Cork.

The couple did not go on a Kerry team holiday to the US after Christmas prompting speculation among some team members that something might be afoot.

“Tomás is a fairly shy man who eschews the limelight. Anybody that knows him well won’t be surprised to learn that he opted to get married in as low profile a manner as possible,” said one player.

Tomás, from Ventry, and Hillary have known each other since their teens.

The Ó Sé and Mac Eoin families will toast the newlyweds at a private celebration dinner this weekend.