Irish Daily Mail

GAA star Ciara didn’t get the cup... but she did get a ring!

- By Naomi McElroy

SHE may not have won the silverware yesterday, but Derry player Ciara McGurk came away from Croke Park with something even better when her boyfriend proposed on the pitch.

Ms McGurk was being interviewe­d by Daithí Ó Sé after her team’s junior football final draw with Fermanagh when her partner, Ryan McCloskey, quietly approached the pair on the sidelines.

As the interview ended the RTÉ presenter told the Derry player to turn around, leaving her speechless when she discovered her partner down on one knee, holding an engagement ring in an open jewellery box in one hand.

‘We’ve just had a wedding proposal’

In front of thousands of thrilled GAA supporters, Mr McCloskey asked his girlfriend to marry him, and after taking just three seconds to mull the question over the goalscorer told him yes, jumping into his arms to the delighted cheers of her Derry team-mates.

Ms McGurk had scored a goal for her team against Fermanagh in the All-Ireland Ladies Junior Football final clash, but the game ended in a draw and must now be replayed on October 8.

But despite a lack of success on the pitch it was still a day to be remembered for the northern sports star, as congratula­tions poured in for the newly-engaged couple on social media. Derry GAA sent their congratula­tions via Twit- ter, posting: ‘She said YES!.. When you play in an All-Ireland final and get engaged after the game! Congratula­tions to Ciara McGurk and Ryan McCloskey.’ RTÉ presenter and Dancing With The Stars star Des Cahill also took to Twitter, writing: ‘We’ve just had a wedding proposal in Croke Park!!’

A huge day for women’s GAA saw over 46,000 in attendance at Croker to see Tipperary win the intermedia­te title and Dublin take the senior crown. Dublin Lord Mayor Micheál Mac Donncha announced plans for a reception tomorrow in honour of the Jackies.

See Sport – Page 54

 ??  ?? Decent proposal: Ryan McCloskey pops the question to Ciara McGurk
Decent proposal: Ryan McCloskey pops the question to Ciara McGurk
 ??  ?? Happy couple: Ryan and Ciara
Happy couple: Ryan and Ciara

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