Cathriona McConnell: I'm getting married in the morning

Donaghmoyne's Cathriona McConnell warms up for a currentaccount.ie All-Ireland semi-final on Sunday with her wedding today.

McConnell takes it all in her stride but after 18 months of preparation, even she had to take a few days off work and miss one or two Donaghmoyne training sessions this week.

She promises the celebrations in the Slieve Russell Hotel won’t be cut short, even despite the huge fixture that awaits a mere 24 hours later.

The 32-year-old has already won five All-Irelands at this level and while she expects a really tough outing against Kilmacud Crokes tomorrow, she knows the importance of celebrating the biggest day of her life.

"All is grand for the day, we are going with the flow. I mightn’t go to bed at all," jokes McConnell.

It was so different to the usual preparations for a huge final-four tie. She was working until Wednesday but Thursday and Friday were devoted to the preparation ahead of today’s wedding.

She ties the knot with Darren Murnaghan this afternoon and the rest of her loyal Donaghmoyne team-mates will be there to cheer her on.

"All the girls will be at the wedding but we won’t be worrying. We will enjoy our day and on Sunday we will worry about the match then," said McConnell.

"It can be a bit of a distraction for the whole lot of us. We are away for the day. You are spending it together with your friends and team-mates. There probably will be a bit of a buzz as well at the wedding, talking about it. It will get the girls excited and motivated for the next day. We will go with that anyhow."

Luckily for McConnell, the Ulster and Leinster champions were picked to play tomorrow rather than this afternoon – when reigning champions Kilkerrin-Clonberne go to Ballymacarbry in Waterford.It could have