Wedding of the Week: Cork couple who met through playing soccer make the perfect match

This couple’s love of soccer led to their meeting. Maggie Duncliffe and Nathalie O Brien have known each other 14 years. They “clicked from the early days” as opponents on different soccer teams.

Maggie recalled: “I was playing with Riverstown and Nathalie was playing with St Mary’s.”

Maggie then signed for the same team, St Mary’s, and they grew closer, both playing with Cork City Women’s FC together too.

Maggie is from White’s Cross and Nathalie is from Hollyhill. They bought a house together back in 2021, in White’s Cross.

They first met when Maggie went to a soccer trial night out in CIT, Nathalie’s dad was coaching the team she played on and was looking for new players to sign. Maggie said: “We spoke all of two words that night, ‘Hi’ and ‘Bye’.”

They were up against each other on different teams a few weeks later, and there was some banter between them. They later connected on Bebo and the rest is history.

They got engaged in 2021. Maggie said: “I took her for a spin to Gougane Barra, I had made a book of our years together and the final page was the big question and she said ‘Yes’.”

They had their wedding ceremony and reception in the Kinsale Hotel and Spa on May 4.

“I cannot fault the set-up one bit, the staff were amazing and gave us a wedding we will never forget,” said Maggie.

Family played an important part of their day. Maggie comes from a large family of eight brothers and five sisters and has 20 nieces and nephews who all attended on the big day. Nathalie has two sisters and one niece and nephew who were present.

Maggie had her sister Melissa as Matron of Honour, sister Lizzy as bridesmaid, and brother Joseph as a bridesman. Her godchildren Lilly and Harper were flower girls and nephew Leo was page boy.

Nathalie’s sister Shannon was her maid of honour, and her sister Alexx was bridesmaid. Her niece Maisie was her flower girl and her godson Noah was her page boy.

Maggie had both her parents walk her up the aisle, while Nathalie had her dad walk her up to the song I Get To Love You.

Their first dance was to Y ou’re Still The One.

As to what was the most memorable thing about the day?

“Having the most important people in our lives celebrating the most important day of our lives with us and making it that more special, “ said Maggie.

“Seeing my wife walk out and how amazing and beautiful she looked made my heart skip beats and butterflies filled my stomach.

“We cannot thank our parents enough for all they have done for us in our lives, and making us the people we are today.”