Perfect engagement: Kearney 'planned for months'

Riding the rails: Rob Kearney and Lorraine Keane launch Fashion Relief 2020 – a fundraiser in aid of Oxfam Ireland. Photo: Brian McEvoy

Independent.ie Newsdesk

Wedding planning is already under way for smitten Irish rugby star Rob Kearney and fiancée Jess Redden after he popped the question on New Year's Eve during a romantic getaway to New York.

Kearney revealed he had been planning to propose to Ms Redden for months beforehand, and always imagined asking her while they were abroad.

Speaking at the launch of Oxfam's Fashion Relief 2020 fundraiser, he said: "We spent five days over in New York and I proposed our second night in. It's a cool city and a great place to be, it was nice to get out of Ireland and have a cool city breakaway for that time of year.

"I was planning it for just a few months prior to that. It was always my intention to maybe try and get it done abroad somewhere so it was the perfect time to do it, especially around Christmas time.

"There's a great buzz in the city. It was New Year's Eve so there's the huge ball drop in Times Square and lots of people around so it was just something different and maybe a bit more memorable."

The loved-up couple, who have been together for six years, have not yet set a date for the big day.