They say you should never trick someone into falling in love with you but the way Evanne Ní Chuilinn's husband Brian Fitzsimons did it, is perfectly acceptable.
The sports presenter has walked away from RTÉ for a new challenge in 2025 and is now a Fine Gael senator but who is her biggest cheerleader, her husband Brian? Evanne was caught off guard by her now-husband on a night out in 2010 and his magic had her enthralled in no time.
Since then, the couple has only gone from strength to strength, tying the knot and welcoming their three children. A decade after meeting Brian, Evanne recounted the chance encounter while speaking to the RTÉ Guide and told how their love story started.
How They Met
Evanne told the Guide that she almost didn't go out the night she met Brian as she'd injured her hip. She recalled: 'It was the day before St Patrick's day, I had just played a basketball game, messed-up my hip and wasn't planning to go out.
'So I didn't put on any make-up and when I met Brian I thought, "Oh no! I look crap and I've met someone I like!"' Not that mattered one bit as Brian was clearly taken by Evanne and she was equally impressed by his skills.
She continued: 'Brian swept me off my feet doing magic tricks, making stuff disappear and pulling coins out of thin air. I was totally won over.'
Tying the knot
The couple tied the knot in September 2013 on the grounds of Mount Druid in Castletown Geoghegan in Co Westmeath.
Evanne looked stunning in an ivory dress with a lacy bodice. She wore her blonde hair styled back into a chic up do and added a pretty headpiece to complete her look.
Evanne and Brian's first child Séimí, who was one when his parents tied the knot, had an important role in the big day as he was a ring bearer. Marty Morrissey, Jacqui Hurley and Hugh Cahill were just a handful of Evanne and Brian's pals who helped them celebrate their marriage.
Growing their family
Evanne and Brian added their second child, Peigí, to the family in July 2015 and their third child Teidí joined the gang in 2022.
The couple turned to IVF to welcome their third child, Teidí, now three, after trying for three years to get pregnant naturally. Speaking about their experience with the Irish Examiner, Evanne said it would have been 'almost dishonest not to let it be known that I did IVF'.
'It was something we wanted for a long time. I’d see people getting pregnant naturally with absolutely no bother and it would be really hard to take so I didn’t want people to think it had happened naturally when it didn’t,' she said.
Evanne suffered from hyperemesis while she was pregnant and had to pull out of going to Tokyo to cover the Olympic Games but still managed to report of the sport for RTÉ from Dublin.
In 2024 Evanne impressed parents around the country when she threw a joint 'Communfirmation' party for her two eldest - genius!
Balancing family and work
Evanne told EVOKE in December 2024 that keeping the show on the road at home and work is a 'huge balancing act' - something most parents will relate to!
'Three kids are definitely a game-changer,' she said. 'Two were a little bit easier to manage but when the third one needs to go to bed at 7 pm while the other two are still off at training it was difficult.'
Evanne's presenting career
Evanne was one of the broadcasters covering the Women's World Cup for RTÉ. She as well as Peter Collins, Clare MacNamara, and Marie Crowe bought us all the latest as girls in green tried to win the title.
She was also one of the main voices covering the Olympics in Paris. It hasn't always been easy though and Evanne recently told the RTE Guide that when Des Cahill stepped back from the Sunday Game, she had her fingers crossed that she would get the position.
'I really wanted that job. I was devastated, but I never told anyone I was. I put my head down and kept going,' Evanne admitted. 'So, to get to do the Olympics and know I did a good job made me feel a little less frustrated.
Evanne's 2025 goals
Evanne is pushing herself out of her comfort zone in 2025 and challenging herself to write a fiction book. Evanne has already released one book, The Great Irish Book of Gaelic Games.
Announcing her new project, she wrote: 'We go again. I'm excited to be writing my next book… and taking a leap of faith with my first foray into fiction!! Big life goal vibezzzz in '25. What do you think it's about?'
Move into politics
In February 2025, Evanne announced that she'd become a Fine Gael senator.
Speaking as her new role was confirmed, Evanne said: 'Becoming a Fine Gael Senator is an honour and gives me an opportunity to advance change on a wide range of issues affecting Irish life.
'I have enjoyed a varied and exciting career in sports broadcasting for more than two decades - one which I will miss and I am grateful to have had.'
In March, Evanne's first Governement job was revealed with her being appointed to the post of Spokesperson in the Seanad for Arts, Media Sport and Communications.
''I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to contribute in such an important space. I look forward to engaging with key stakeholders and helping to shape policy in these vital sectors,' she said.
