Irish Central: Top Irish hurling goalkeeper says he's gay

[Captain Hilts]

http://www.irishcentral.com/sport/Top-Irish-sportsman-says-hes-gay-64726982.html

Legendary Cork hurling goalkeeper Donal Og Cusack has revealed that he is gay in his new autobiography.

Cusack is one of the first Irish sports personalities to come out of the closet. The Cloyne star made the revelation in his autobiography “Come What May."

“I tried to go out with women to make sure, to see what kind of feeling it gave me," the triple All Ireland medal-winning hurler is quoted as writing in The Belfast Telegraph.

“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.”

In the book Cusack explains that he was in South Africa when he got a call from his sister telling him that rumors of his sexual orientation were flying about.

The 32-year-old returned home and says that coming out to his family was one of the hardest things he has had to do in his life.

[two gun sid]

1. Wow. Coming out to his family must have been hard...

good on him but Up Limerick!

[Captain Hilts]

2. He's getting swamped with messages of support

http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Fans-rally-to-support-Cusack-after-GAA-sports-star-reveals-hes-gay-64937292.html

Irish sports star Donal Og Cusack has been overwhelmed by messages of support after revealing he was gay.

GAA fans across the globe have rallied round Cusack while top GAA players have applauded him for his honesty and bravery.

Senior Cork GAA stars including Ben O'Connor, Brian Corcoran, Sean Og O'hAilpin, Tom Kenny, Timmy McCarthy and Cathal Naughton say they're proud of Cusack for going public.

Cork radio stations 96 Fm and Red FM said they were inundated with calls from people urging Cusak not to quit.

[two gun sid]

6. That is wonderful.

[Captain Hilts]

3. Niall O'Dowd: Cusack a true hero

http://www.irishcentral.com/news/col/NOdowd/Donal-Ogs-a-true-hero-for--64934102.html

Donal Og Cusack's decision to state openly that he was gay is an extraordinary moment for Ireland. He is the first sportsman in a sports-crazy society to ever take that decision. One that will expose him to much hatred and comment I am sure.

Irish sports, especially hurling, are macho pursuits, in which gayness or even a hint of it have never played a part.

The GAA, a rural-powered organization, is essentially a conservative institution where priests and bishops often play a leading role.

Yet here is Donal Og Cusask, not just any old player but a true legend in the game and a man who has still several years playing time left, coming out to the general public.

[redqueen]

4. That's wonderful.

I'm so glad most of the response is supportive. I was worried that wouldn't be the case when I first heard of this.

[Forkboy]

5. Cool beans.

More power to him. :toast: