Irish rugby legend and his Derry love enjoy 'best day of our lives' in sunny Portuguese wedding

Munster and Ireland rugby superstar Conor Murray and Derry beauty queen and model Joanna Cooper have celebrated their love by tying the knot in Portugal.

The couple were joined by family and friends who made the journey to the Algarve to toast the newlyweds at their wedding ceremony on Monday.

Bride Joanna, 29, looked radiant in an ivory lace gown with a sweetheart neckline and high slit. Her blonde tresses were swept back off her face in a sleek bun. Given the soaring temperatures in the Algarve, Conor, 34, - sporting a deep tan -  opted for an open-collar white shirt with a taupe coloured suit and loafers - with no socks!

The rugby A-listers in attendance are Ireland captain Johnny Sexton and his wife Laura, Johnny's Ireland teammate, Munster captain Peter O'Mahony and his wife Jessica and team-mates Simon Zebo, Craig Casey, Jack O'Donoghue and Tadgh Beirne and his wife Harriet.

The newlyweds and their family and friends celebrated into the wee hours with one guest commenting how some of the after party was celebrated in a cave! Many guests have taken to social media this Tuesday morning to offer their congratulations to the newlyweds and compliment them on a stunning wedding which featured lots of fairy lights, candles and even a neon light at the bar spelling out The Murrays! 

The happy couple jetted off to Portugal following the Patrickswell man's United Rugby Championship win with Munster Rugby.

Monday's wedding marks a happy occasion for the Irish scrum-half's family following a stressful time after his father Gerry was involved in a serious road collision near Patrickswell in February.

Picture above: Instagram @joannacoops

Joanna, originally from Derry was crowned Miss Universe Ireland in 2015 and met Conor on a night out in London in 2018 before the two moved in together following the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

Their romance went from strength to strength and led to Conor popping the question to Joanna in March of last year.

Joanna celebrated her hen party with several close friends in Barcelona last month.

Joanna opted for a two-piece outfit later on the evening of her wedding as the celebrations got into full swing.

Many of Conor and Joanna's friends made the journey to Portugal after attending Munster and Ireland rugby star Joey Carbery’s wedding in Marbella, Spain last week.

Jessica O’Mahony posted a picture on Instagram with others travelling by vehicle to attend Conor and Joanna’s wedding.

It is expected that following the wedding, Conor’s full focus will be spent on training and preparing with the Ireland squad ahead of the Rugby World Cup in September.