Goalie catches bride’s heart

CELEBRATION is the last thing on the minds of Cork’s footballers, but the panel put the heartbreak of last week’s All-Ireland final defeat to Kerry behind them at the weekend as they gathered for the love-match of goalie Alan Quirke to his long-time girlfriend Christina O’Leary.

Alan, who is a member of the Defence Forces, tied the knot with Christina at the Garrison Church of St Michael, Collins Barracks, Cork, on Saturday.

The wedding was attended by a host of GAA stars including Anthony Lynch, Paul Kerrigan and Alan’s best man Owen Sexton. Star hurler Sean Óg O hAilpín who, when asked to get his picture taken with a line up of glamorous ladies, joked that it was a “single ladies” shot and he wouldn’t want to get in the way.

Cork boss Conor Counihan was also on the guest list but the wedding wasn’t strictly a Cork GAA affair with Armagh’s Aaron Kernan travelling to Leeside for the special day.

Bride Christina O’Leary who works as a financial adviser for the Walsh Group was a picture of elegance in her Paloma Blanca dress and long veil. Her sisters Muireann, Niamh, Noirin and Julie served as bridesmaids and wore flattering pewter dresses.

The wedding was celebrated by Fr Gerry O’Neill with music from the Delta String Trio and Soprano Deirdre Moynihan. The reception took place at Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork with the couple heading to San Diego and Miami on honeymoon.

Bride Christina O’Leary who is from Ballyvourney met Valley Rovers and Cork player Alan at University College Cork when they were both students at the campus. They have been together for 10 years.

Speaking prior to the wedding Christina said she was looking forward to her big day after all the highs and lows of the Cork team in recent months.

“The focus was on the match [the All Ireland] for so long and now the wedding is here. We are heading off on a cruise afterwards. I picked my dress up yesterday. Alan is banned from seeing it. My sisters are my bridesmaids so we are all really looking forward to the wedding.”

Christina and Alan thanked their parents for their “love, guidance and support throughout the years”.