Coolderry captain weds today

Coolderry captain Brendan O'Meara is swapping his camán in favour of a Caribbean cruise next week. Today (Friday) his wedding that was originally set for what turned out to be the eve of his club's first ever All-Ireland senior hurling club final finally takes place. Next Monday he and new wife Jessica Kennedy jet off to Florida for a much anticipated Caribbean cruise honeymoon. Speaking to the Offaly Independent this week Brendan's fiancee Jessica spoke of the disappointment that followed Coolderry's loss to Antrim's Loughgiel Shamrocks in Croke Park on March 17. However, she said today's wedding, which was originally set for March 16 and had to be postponed because of the game, has been a blessing. "It was very disappointing, but it was nice to have this to look forward to," she said, adding that the couple have been focussed on their nuptials for the past month. The unexpected extra month of wedding preparations hasn't felt like much, however. "The last four weeks have flown by," Jessica said. "Every week felt like a day." However speaking before the big day itself she said everything is now "more or less set". The Coolderry team will be among approximately 220 guests celebrating with Brendan and Jessica today. The couple will wed in Jessica's parish church in Lorrha, Tipperary, the same parish Coolderry manager Ken Hogan hails from. After the ceremony the wedding party will move on to a reception in the Sheraton Hotel in Athlone. Jessica said the wedding celebration is looking like "a two day affair". However that still leaves the couple plenty of time to prepare for a trip Stateside, where they will embark on a cruise from a Florida port. Friday 13 might be looked on as unlucky by some, but delighted bride Jessica said she'd happily do it all again.