Donal Og Cusack Reveals he's Gay in new Autobiography

All-Ireland winning Cork goalkeeper and twice GAA All-Star, Donal Og Cusack revealed this weekend that he is gay. He is the first senior GAA player to openly declare their homosexuality.

Interviewed in the Mail on Sunday about the ‘explosive content’ of his autobiography “Come What May”, the hurler was candid and open about his sexuality. He writes:

“I tried to go out with women to make sure, to see what kind of feeling it gave me,” he writes.

“I went out with nice women and good women, but sure, I still knew. I wanted something else. I get more out of men. I just do. Always have. I know I am different but just in this way. Whatever you may feel about me or who I am, I’ve always been at peace with it,” he said.

Donal Og’s sexuality was no secret amongst those in GAA circles. But it is sure to have many Irish people, whose knowledge of gay people revolves largely around stereotypes of the ‘ Queer Eye for the Straight Guy’-man, questioning their views.

His hurling colleagues have been quick to come out in support of Cusack.

“He’s a top man,” said Ben O’Connor, Cork All-Ireland winning captain in 2004. “He is one of the best genuine GAA men around and will be supported by Cork players and genuine GAA people 100%.”

Cathal Naughton said: “We’re all fully behind him, he’s a great man and has so much for all of us. This won’t change anything.”

However disappointingly the GAA and the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) have both yet to comment and were unavailable/unwilling to comment when approached by media thus far.

It’s unlikely this ‘coming out’ will open the floodgates for homosexuality in the GAA  When British soccer player, Justin Fashanu revealed he was homosexual in 1990, gay rights activists proclaimed it was about time and that this now left the door open for other men to come forward and be honest about their sexuality. Fashanu was the first and remains the only top-tier soccer player to come out in this regard.

Hopefully the GPA or GAA will now make moves within their organisations to educate people on tolerance and support other players who want to follow Cusack out of the changing room.