How I Met My Partner: Cork couple who matched on dating app to appear on TV

A CORK couple who look set for TV stardom described the lead up to their high-profile wedding with anecdotes evoking laughter and heartbreak in equal measures.

Eoin Crowley and Jennifer Jimoh will feature in the RTÉ One show A Ring and a Prayer on Friday at 8pm.

The new six-part series will focus on the stories of couples from different cultures and faith traditions as they prepare for marriage.

Two celebrations 

Ballyphehane native Eoin and Jennifer, who originally hails from Nigeria and lives in Ballincollig, were among the few lucky couples who had the chance to tie the knot twice, once in Nigeria and a second time in the Midleton Park Hotel.

Years before their taste of stardom, the couple had no idea of the joy that awaited them after meeting in Luigi Malones restaurant for the first time.

They had matched on a dating app, but immediately felt sparks after meeting face-to-face.

Jennifer described it as love at first sight.

“I like a man who is taller than me so I was attracted to Eoin straight away,” she admits.

“I saw in him the physique I like in a man. He was handsome and had a great body so he was definitely my type of man.

“In my mind I was saying ‘let’s see how this is going to go’.”

The UCC graduate was equally impressed with his appetite.

“We both ordered steak and chips. He ended up finishing my steak.

“He asked me as a joke if I was good at cooking. I wasn’t offended because I happen to be a very good cook.

“I’ve always been very good in the kitchen. I was studying for a Masters in public health so we also discussed my thesis quite a bit.”

It was Jennifer’s intelligence and sense of humour that first grabbed Eoin’s attention.

“We got on very well. She was intelligent and beautiful.

“The Nigerian people have a sense of humour that’s very similar to the one Irish people have so that made things a lot easier.”

The big question 

Jennifer equally enjoyed their second date and added: “The second date was a lot more comfortable because I had already met and spoken with Eoin.

“I had to make sure I wasn’t wasting my time so my friend said that I should just ask one question to make sure that he was serious.

“You don’t have the time to waste if a guy isn’t serious so I asked him a question that most men don’t expect ‘where do you see yourself in five years’ time?’

“If a man says he wants to go travelling then you know he probably isn’t serious. I asked Eoin the question the same way you would in an interview for a job. He told me he saw himself married with kids.”

Jennifer still cherishes the memory of Eoin’s proposal.

“He proposed in Nigeria at the Oriental Hotel. We went to a Korean restaurant because we wanted to try something different. It was our last meal before leaving for the airport.

“He took my hand. I had initially thought that he wanted to dance. However, when we finished eating he took something from his pocket.

“It was a big shock to see the engagement ring but I didn’t have to hesitate and just replied ‘of course’ when he asked me to marry him.”

Eoin remembers feeling overwhelmed by the response.

“Everyone in the restaurant clapped,” he said. “We still have the video on YouTube. It was an amazing moment.”

Readers can find out more about the couple’s adventures by visiting their Instagram page on: https://instagram. com/jenniferandeoin_ie