MODEL WALK 

Wexford GAA hurler gets married to ex-camogie star fiancee at glam Kilkenny resort a week before All-Ireland semi-final

Her brothers are multi-time All-Ireland winners with Kilkenny

WEXFORD hurler Jack O’Connor and former Kilkenny camogie star Grace Walsh tied the knot at a glamorous resort in her home county over the weekend.

The happy couple got hitched at the Lyrath Estate on the Paulstown Road in Kilkenny, where Walsh made her name for many years.

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The Tullaroan clubwoman made her Kilkenny debut in 2011 and won All-Ireland camogie titles in 2016, 2020 and 2022.

Her brothers Tommy and Padraig, meanwhile, have won a combined 11 All-Ireland hurling titles with the Cats.

Her new husband O’Connor, meanwhile, is a Model citizen and is part of the St Martin’s team that beat Ballyhale Shamrocks in the Leinster club hurling final on December 6.

They were surrounded by friends, family, and loved ones for the magical occasion on Friday.

Amongst them was Valerie Wheeler, at whose own wedding Walsh was a guest back in September.

O’Connor and Walsh’s honeymoon plans have not emerged although it is not unlikely that they will wait until after Christmas.

Part of the reasoning for that decision would be St Martin’s upcoming All-Ireland club hurling semi-final against Ballygunner.

The Wexford club will face the Waterford heavyweights next Sunday at Semple Stadium.

And Jack’s brother Rory, who was on best man duties at Friday’s wedding, warned Ballygunner that St Martin’s won’t be resting on being crowned provincial champions.

Rory, who sniped 11 points against Ballyhale Shamrocks, said: “We won’t be cashing in and being happy with our lot so far.

“I was watching Ballygunner in the Munster final on the telly and they’re an impressive team.

“I said the very same about Ballyhale, obviously they’re teams that have to be massively respected.

“Ballygunner have done massive things in provincial championships and All-Ireland championships.

“But we’re definitely going to throw the kitchen sink at it.

“Just like we’ve done for Na Fianna, like we’ve done for Naas, like we’ve just done for Ballyhale.

“So I don’t fear that we won’t be up for it. We’ll definitely be ready to go.”

It will be a free shot in reality. All the pressure will be on Ballygunner to swat aside the first-time provincial winners.

Attacker O’Connor said: “I never thought the day would come, to be honest, for our club.

“Then just in the last two years, it’s come together. We’ve a sprinkle of young whippets in the backs, real fast lads. I think it’s a coming of age for our team.”