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Match of the day: Controversial Irish footballer James McClean marries long-term girlfriend in lavish ceremony in his hometown

West Brom winger has refused to wear the poppy or face St George flag
Married long-term partner Erin Connor at church in Derry, Northern Ireland
Wedding guests wore all black and groom wore velvet satin-trim jacket
Everton player Seamus Coleman was among the guests with his wife

Published: 14:54 GMT, 21 May 2016 | Updated: 16:19 GMT, 21 May 2016

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Controversial Republic of Ireland international James McClean married today in a lavish ceremony in his hometown.

The 27-year-old footballer tied the knot with his long term partner Erin Connor at St Columb's Church in Derry, Northern Ireland.

He sparked controversy when he was seen to face away from the flag of St George when his West Bromwich Albion team-mates sang the National Anthem before playing South Carolina-based Charleston Battery in a pre-season game.

Match of the day: Controversial Republic of Ireland international James McClean married today in a lavish ceremony in his hometown

Kissing the bride: The 27-year-old footballer tied the knot with his long term partner Erin Connor at St Columb's Church in Derry, Northern Ireland

Happy couple: McClean and Connor met six years ago and have been engaged for three. They have two children - Allie Mae, 2, and eight-month-old James Junior

He previously refused to wear a poppy on his kit in the run-up to Remembrance Sunday while playing for Sunderland and Wigan Athletic, saying it would have been disrespectful to the 'innocent people who lost their lives in the Troubles'.

In the face of tradition, wedding guests were decked out in black while the groom sported a vintage velvet jacket with satin trim and white rose in the button hole.

Miss Connor dazzled in a full-length off-the-shoulder white satin gown combined with drop pearl earrings.

Her veil was held as she entered the church with her blonde hair pinned back and a bouquet of flowers in her hands.

After the pair exchanged vows, they were whisked away in a 1920s Bentley to a reception at the nearby Drenagh Estate.

The groom's parents Patrick and Shauna beamed with pride as they posed for pictures at the church.

The groom sported a vintage velvet jacket with satin trim and white rose in the button hole along with black ray ban aviators while Miss Connor dazzled in a full-length off-the-shoulder white satin gown combined with drop pearl earrings

Miss Connor's veil was held as she entered the church with her blonde hair pinned back and a bouquet of flowers in her hands.

The groom's parents Patrick and Shauna beamed with pride as they posed for pictures at the church

Although Northern Irish, McClean has chosen to play for the Republic of Ireland and has been selected for this summer's European Championships.

His fellow international and Everton player Seamus Coleman was among the guests with his wife Rachel.

McClean and Connor met six years ago and have been engaged for three. They have two children - Allie Mae, 2, and eight-month-old James Junior.

Fellow Ireland international and Everton player Seamus Coleman was among the guests with his wife Rachel

After the pair exchanged vows, they were whisked away in a 1920s Bentley to a reception at the nearby Drenagh Estate (pictured)

McClean turned away from the cross of St George when 'God Save The Queen' began to play in a pre-season game

Then-Wigan player McClean refused to wear a poppy on his shirt against Bolton in 2014

WHY I WON'T WEAR THE POPPY: McCLEAN'S LETTER TO WIGAN CHAIRMAN

Dear Mr Whelan,

I wanted to write to you before talking about this face to face and explain my reasons for not wearing a poppy on my shirt for the game at Bolton.

I have complete respect for those who fought and died in both World Wars - many I know were Irish-born. I have been told that your own Grandfather Paddy Whelan, from Tipperary, was one of those.

I mourn their deaths like every other decent person and if the Poppy was a symbol only for the lost souls of World War I and II I would wear one.

I want to make that 100% clear .You must understand this.

But the Poppy is used to remember victims of other conflicts since 1945 and this is where the problem starts for me.

For people from the North of Ireland such as myself, and specifically those in Derry, scene of the 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre, the poppy has come to mean something very different. Please understand, Mr Whelan, that when you come from Creggan like myself or the Bogside, Brandywell or the majority of places in Derry, every person still lives in the shadow of one of the darkest days in Ireland’s history – even if like me you were born nearly 20 years after the event. It is just a part of who we are, ingrained into us from birth.

Mr Whelan, for me to wear a poppy would be as much a gesture of disrespect for the innocent people who lost their lives in the Troubles – and Bloody Sunday especially - as I have in the past been accused of disrespecting the victims of WWI and WWII.

It would be seen as an act of disrespect to those people; to my people.

I am not a war monger, or anti-British, or a terrorist or any of the accusations levelled at me in the past. I am a peaceful guy, I believe everyone should live side by side, whatever their religious or political beliefs which I respect and ask for people to respect mine in return. Since last year, I am a father and I want my daughter to grow up in a peaceful world, like any parent.

I am very proud of where I come from and I just cannot do something that I believe is wrong. In life, if you’re a man you should stand up for what you believe in.

I know you may not agree with my feelings but I hope very much that you understand my reasons.

As the owner of the club I am proud to play for, I believe I owe both you and the club’s supporters this explanation.

Yours sincerely,

James McClean