Busy weekend ahead as Kilkenny star set to tie the knot 24 hours before All-Ireland final with Limerick

Kilkenny hurler Cillian Buckley is set for a busier weekend than most as he sets his sights on marrying his fiancée on Saturday before the small matter of contesting an All-Ireland final at Croke Park less than 24 hours later.

Ordinarily, a weekend which involves an All-Ireland final would take centre stage for the three-time All-Ireland winner but Buckley will be rightfully sharing the limelight with his fiancée Niamh Dowling the day before the showpiece decider in GAA HQ.

The Dicksboro man already has three All-Ireland medals to his name but following his lockdown proposal to Niamh back in September 2020, the couple is all set to say their “I do’s”. 

Former Kilkenny goalkeeper David Herity made the scheduling revelation on Off the Ball in the aftermath of Kilkenny’s, and Buckley’s, last-minute goal to seal the Leinster title victory over Galway.

“He (Buckley) booked his wedding thinking the All-Ireland final was on the same date as 2022. He booked it for the week after it. But now his wedding is going to be the day before the All-Ireland final

“So he’s after making a bags of it – and then to go along and score the goal to basically put them within one game away from having the worst night of his wedding, it’s interesting enough.”

Buckley has predominantly been held in reserve this season by manager Derek Lyng, but his contribution and of course that all-important goal versus the Tribesmen will almost certainly see the Dicksboro man part of the 26-man panel on Sunday - setting the scene for a weekend to remember.