Dublin GAA star Paul Flynn ditches All Star Awards for his sister's nuptials

The half-forward entered the GAA annals as Dublin's first ever four-in-a-row All Star and was invited to attend a glittering ceremony held in the city last night for the winners.

But Paul put the wedding of his sister Sarah to team-mate Darren Daly ahead of his own accolades.

"Thanks everyone for the all the best wishes. Pity I can't make the awards but looking forward to a family wedding," Paul said after his name was announced as one of the winners of the prestigious awards.

Paul tweeted a picture of the wedding car decorated with a white ribbon before it headed off to Colmcille's Church, in Swords.

And after the ceremony, he joined the dapper-looking groom Darren in signing autographs for excited fans outside.

There could only be one colour for the boys in blue, and they scrubbed up nicely off the pitch in their blue suits. Paul's suit was complimented by a large white rose in his lapel.

His sister, Sarah looked gorgeous with her hair in loose waves, and a white A-line dress,with lace shoulder detail, and a belt with Swarovski crystals. She carried a bouquet of roses with a cascading effect, with green foliage.

Only the weather didn't play ball on the day, with an umbrella produced to keep the drizzle off the dazzling bride.

But nothing could dampen the mood of the wedding guests. Dublin football manager Jim Gavin wore a natty grey suit - and of course a blue tie for the nuptials.

And among the players who lined up to offer their best wishes to the happy couple were Denis Bastick, Paddy Andrews, Eoghan O'Gara and Ger Brennan. Brothers Bernard and Alan Brogan were all smiles as they shook hands with their team-mate.

Fingallian Paul was one of three Sky Blues honoured on this year's GAA/GPA football team of the year, earning selection alongside two first-time winners from the capital - James McCarthy and Diarmuid Connolly.

RTE's Michael Lyster and Joanne Cantwell presented live coverage from the gala event at the Convention Centre, oi Dublin of the GAA GPA All Stars 2014 last night.

The stars of both football and hurling lined up to receive their awards, clapped on by their glamorous partners in the audience.

Black dresses remained a firm favourite with the ladies attending the high profile event.

Among those pictured at the event were Dublin footballer Michael Darragh Macauley with Rosie Cooney on his arm.

Westmeath hurler John Gilligan and Katie Sommers were also in attendance at the event.

Rebecca Trappe and Deirbhile Ni Chaolain, from Monaghan, also looked very stylish at the convention centre.

After an All-Ireland medal, All-Star awards are very much cherished by all GAA players.

fdillon@herald.ie