Donal Og Cusack: "I'm gay" (Read warning in post 118 and post 304)

MrJoeSoap

Front page of one of the rags this morning.

Fair play to him, can't be easy to come out and admit this whilst still playing. Very brave move.

Thoughts on this? Wise move or should he have left it until he had finished playing?

muletide

Who cares - everyone knew anyway and it never affected him

garbanzo

Shouldn't be such a big deal but given this Ireland and he was a successful inter-county player it makes the news. Good luck to him...I hope he is happy.

mike65

Gay in the GAA? Sounds like an anthem waiting to be written.

laoisforliam

was common knowledge anyways,

When he told his family he is gay his father said to him, "it was hard enough defending you over the short puck outs but now this...

imme

laoisforliam wrote: »

was common knowledge anyways,

When he told his family he is gay his father said to him, "it was hard enough defending you over the short puck outs but now this...

fair balls to him.

Captain Havoc

I'm surprised it hasn't been said already: "If you can turn a man G.A.Y. you can turn him G.A.A."

It says something about GAA fans that a star can come out and not have to worry too much about the response. Ten years ago I believe there wouldn't have been a snowballs chance in hell the comments here would be ones of encouragement or no big deal. You definately could not do this in a lot of other sports. He will get stick but non more than anyone else. Looking forward to the jokes.

IIMII

That's been common knowlege for years - who cares?

Mossy Monk

I am truly surprised by this revelation.

mikemac

Who cares?

Well I suppose it's a headline to get attention and publicity for his book

MisterAnarchy

I think the dog on the street knew he was gay to be honest.

Orizio

From Militant anti-establishment Socialism, rampant homosexuality to constant success, Cork GAA truly is ahead of the curve.

Orizio

dcr22B wrote: »

By DERMOT CROWE

Sunday October 18 2009

KERRY footballer Tadhg Kennelly has admitted that his challenge on Nicholas Murphy three seconds into last month's All-Ireland football final was a premeditated act designed to lay down a marker.

Kennelly says he disclosed his intentions to room-mate Paul Galvin on the eve of the final. "I'm going to charge in and hit someone at the start," he says he told Galvin. Murphy received a high and dangerous shoulder charge when Kennelly sprinted from his position to tackle the midfielder as he wheeled away with the ball straight after the throw-in.

The revelation that he had decided to take the law into his own hands is made in his autobiography, Unfinished Business, which is to be published this week.

Referee Marty Duffy awarded a free to Cork but took no action against the Kerry forward. The offence was a Category 2 offence under the rule book and merited a red card.

Kennelly returned from Australia to win an All-Ireland medal with Kerry last month, fulfilling his ambition, and played a starring role in the final. His dream return to Ireland culminated in being chosen on the Vodafone All Stars team at left half-forward on Friday night.

The GAA has refused to comment on the revelation made by Kennelly, who is employed by Kerry County Board as a GAA coach.

It has also been learned that the experimental rules which were designed to rid the game of cynical tackling and professional fouling have been binned, with GAA authorities deciding that they were no longer required.

The rules sought to remove blights like high tackling and late hits from Gaelic games and had had a run in secondary competitions this year but were shelved for the championship, pending a later review.

Kennelly would have received a yellow card under those rules and been forced to sit out the rest of the final, although he would have been replaced by a substitute.

There is no suggestion that Kennelly's decision was initiated by anyone other than the player himself or was part of the Kerry game plan. "My theory," he explains, "was that I really wanted to set the tone for our side. We wanted Cork to know that we were a totally different animal to the one they'd faced three months earlier."

He went on: "As we got to our positions, I looked across at Galvin, who nodded, and then positioned myself on the line ready to race in when the referee put the ball in the air. My eyes were almost rolling around in the back of my head. I was like a raging bull."

He says he "timed it right" and caught Murphy "perfectly on the chin". His message was: "Cop that. It's different this time, boys".

The Central Competition Controls Committee (CCCC) examined footage of the incident after the final and decided not to ask Duffy to review his decision.

- DERMOT CROWE

Sunday Independent

Telling us what we already knew, would the GAA have the cojones to ban him retrospectively? This kind of sh1te has no place in our game. It's no better in my view (asides from the obvious injury) than what Roy Keane did to Alf Inge Haaland a few years back.

Keane's tackle was worse, lets be fair.

That was very knackerish of Kennelly though, he should be punished.

Daysha

In other news, man walks on the moon.

Edit: eh, wrong thread Orizio?

rebel girl 15

Daysha wrote: »

In other news, man walks on the moon.

Edit: eh, wrong thread Orizio?

I was just gonna post that

dcr22B

Sorry Orizio, I meant to start that in a separate thread.

I know Keane's tackle was much worse but it's the same pre-meditated crap. Murphy could have been much more seriously injured as a simple result of laying down a marker!

No doubt there'd be people up in arms if someone did something similar to Dara O'Se.

youtheman

I remember some time ago one of the Cork lads in work explaining the origins of the 'Semplegate' saga (remember where the three Cork players got banned for some wrestling at half time against Tipperary).

He said to me "of course you know why the row started".

"Haven't a clue" says I.

He then said "it's because Sean Og is gay and the opposition players were blowing him kisses etc."

He walked out of my office and I was in shock. "Sean Og is gay" I was thinking "sure he's a GAA pin up idol".

I was finding it really hard to get my head around this, when my colleague stuck his head in the door again "Sorry, it's not Sean Og, It's Donal Og".

"Ahh, that explains it" says I.

LeoB

dcr22B wrote: »

Murphy could have been much more seriously injured as a simple result of laying down a marker!

No doubt there'd be people up in arms if someone did something similar to Dara O'Se.

They are use to this stuff. You only have to look at some of their club games if you want to see walloping (filth)
Sad really as there is such an abundance of natural skill in Kerry G.A.A. maybe Paudie O'Se was right but he actually meant players not spectators "Fcuking animals"

Anyway, I never liked Donal Og Cusack always thought he was an arrogant P**K. no pun intended. But so what if he is gay. Are we not above all this stuff of judging people for their way of living. It proves what a great organisation the G.A.A is if a top star can come out while still playing.

Ya could look at it and say "sure he has been R*** by Cork board for years. Any more of them gay.

Poor_old_gill

About Donal Og- fair play to him for coming out, but everyone already knew
About Tadhg- being a Kerryman myself, he is starting to really get on my t*ts- he's turning into a bot of media wh*re and he's just lookin for a bit of publicity for his book as controversy sells.

yellotone

This is fierce funny with the Cusack non-revalations. As for roaster Kennelly, the joke is on him. No matter what those Kerryboys do, at least they'll be safe in the knowledge, throughout ALL their success, they could never take the true team of the 00's. Tyrone and all their cod-ology, were the real team of the decade. That shan't be forgotten...

coldwood92

For real ?

Profiler

I must be one of the few who didn't know.

Fair play to him for coming out, no doubt he will get some slagging from players and fans but I'd like to think that Irish society is mature enough to deal with this.

Poor_old_gill

yellotone wrote: »

This is fierce funny with the Cusack non-revalations. As for roaster Kennelly, the joke is on him. No matter what those Kerryboys do, at least they'll be safe in the knowledge, throughout ALL their success, they could never take the true team of the 00's. Tyrone and all their cod-ology, were the real team of the decade. That shan't be forgotten...

And the award for todays attempt at being a wind up merchant goes to yelltone.
well done, dont forget to thank your family

Tight Ted

Now it's time for his long term partner Dermot "The Rock" O'Sullivan to come out too.

manster

I'm confused - is this a thread about Donal Og Cusack being gay or Tadgh Kennelly's 'premeditated marker' on Nicholas Murphy. As a Kerryman I'd discussing both

JamieK

youtheman wrote: »

I remember some time ago one of the Cork lads in work explaining the origins of the 'Semplegate' saga (remember where the three Cork players got banned for some wrestling at half time against Tipperary).

...against Clare was it not??? Where both teams *excuse the terrible pun* "came out" of the tunnel at the same time...beating lumps out of each other! No Tipp men that day my friend!

g5fd6ow0hseima

Doubt Donal óg is the only homosexual player in inter country GAA. Hopefully this will encourage others to follow suit - although he was in no hurry to come out, one must remember what your typical GAA fan is like....

cotwold

I think its great. Dont have a clue who he is but its great to have openly gay people in sports as role models.

Pappy o' daniel

I've got to admire his balls for coming out like this.

McArmalite

Ok I'm going to get the PC crowd ranting as usual, we're supposed to have freedom of speech, don't approve, end of story.

deisedude

McArmalite wrote: »

Ok I'm going to get the PC crowd ranting as usual, we're supposed to have freedom of speech, don't approve, end of story.

What does it matter to you if he is gay? I'm sure Donal Og will be gutted when he hears you dont approve:rolleyes:

Anywho fair play to him for coming out. Don't particularly like him for shafting Gerald but thats a different matter. The timing of him coming out just before he releases an autobiography seems a little convenient though

cotwold

McArmalite wrote: »

Ok I'm going to get the PC crowd ranting as usual, we're supposed to have freedom of speech, don't approve, end of story.

Political correctness has nothing to do with it, why dont you approve?

g5fd6ow0hseima

McArmalite wrote: »

Ok I'm going to get the PC crowd ranting as usual, we're supposed to have freedom of speech, don't approve, end of story.

Your username says enough about you

yellotone

Poor_old_gill wrote: »

And the award for todays attempt at being a wind up merchant goes to yelltone.
well done, dont forget to thank your family

glad to have wound you up boyo. And I ain't even from Tyrone. But truth be told and I may not be on my own with the assessment, Tyrone were a force in the most competitive football province and even after getting through it, they still saw off Kerry every occasion they met in the championship. They would have possibly done it again this year but Cork spoiled the party and gave them a spanking in the semi. Kerry still can't win an All Ireland by beating the best team on the move..

McArmalite

cotwold wrote: »

Political correctness has nothing to do with it, why dont you approve?

I don'tapprove of homosexuality, I just think it's unnatural. For the people themselves it's hard to go through with in life I'm sure, but I'm still against it.

youtheman

JamieK wrote: »

...against Clare was it not??? Where both teams *excuse the terrible pun* "came out" of the tunnel at the same time...beating lumps out of each other! No Tipp men that day my friend!

You could be correct. Apologies to all the Tipp people, ye wouldn't dare take the pi55 out of a fairy.

dlofnep

McArmalite wrote: »

I don'tapprove of homosexuality, I just think it's unnatural. For the people themselves it's hard to go through with in life I'm sure, but I'm still against it.

A fine Republican like yourself should stand for civil equality, for everyone. there should be no exceptions. Him being homosexual has no effect on you.

The unnatural argument is typically weak, as homosexuality exists with every animal in the world. Some people are gay, some people are straight. Neither is a big issue. It's just a preference. Don't get hung up on other people's preferences.

ballsymchugh

there was a joke going around about 3 or 4 years ago, when the cork hurling team were on one of their many strikes, and the rest of the country were getting a bit pissed off with them, that people had had enough of diarmuid o'sullivan, sean óg ó hailpin and donal óg cusack, and frank murphy said that this abuse is not fair as it was an attack on the obese, black and gay communities of cork.
it's been known for years, the fans all knew, and he's never been abused about it (to the best of my knowledge). this is where gaa fans rise above soccer, seeing the abuse sol campbell got from spurs fans last year..

cotwold

McArmalite wrote: »

I don't approve of homosexuality, I just think it's unnatural. For the people themselves it's hard to go through with in life I'm sure, but I'm still against it.

Thats a shame, its an irrefutable fact of life, always been here, always will be, just dont get too hung up about it cause you'll only stress yourself out.

deisedude

McArmalite wrote: »

I don'tapprove of homosexuality, I just think it's unnatural. For the people themselves it's hard to go through with in life I'm sure, but I'm still against it.

In fairness its close minded people like you and that attitude that make it hard for them. Even if you don't approve why do you feel the need to vehemently state it on a public forum. Perhaps you are insecure with your own sexuality

Clare Bear

Ah yeah most people knew this for years. But fair play to him anyway, being gay in the GAA circle can't be easy, I know he's had comments from players and people in the stands (I've heard it myself) and he's always kept dignified. I don't see why he had to make a big deal out of it and go to the papers but it's good to see being gay portrayed in a positive light in this country, it rarely happens.

cotwold

deisedude wrote: »

In fairness its close minded people like you and that attitude that make it hard for them. Even if you don't approve why do you feel the need to vehemently state it on a public forum. Perhaps you are insecure with your own sexuality

Thats true to say as well. Its probably something you dont consider McArmalite but your attitude, expressing your attitude (and other like minded people doing the same) is what makes gay peoples lives sh*t sometimes. You added in the freedom of speech as a disclaimer to your original statement but rights have a duality. You have the right to freedom of speech alright but also the responsibility not to incite hatred, which is exactly what proclaiming homosexuality as unnatural will do.

g5fd6ow0hseima

Perhaps he publicised it in the hope that more players will follow suit - I doubt there are many people out there who thinks he is the only homosexual inter-county player in the country...

yellotone

they're all gay!

DDC1990

Why is this front page news? I know he's in the public light and all, but a mans sexuality no matter how famous shouldn't warrent this much discussion.
Anyway its his own decision and fair play to him for being confident enough to air it all out.

useurename

it's been known for years, the fans all knew, and he's never been abused about it (to the best of my knowledge). this is where gaa fans rise above soccer, seeing the abuse sol campbell got from spurs fans last year..[/quote]
sol campbell is defo not gay.i saw his lady and she is fine.spurs fans.as for donal og.old news.i have no problem with his gayness its his corkness thats the problem and all that striking ruined a good team.it could as easily be cork up there as the team of the decade if it wasn't for there bitchiness and stubborness.:cool:

Outkast_IRE

everyone knew and nobody cares about that

efb

Fair Play to him, and I never had much time for GAA players, lest of all Cork.

callaway92

I saw him walking around with his boyfriend in Cahir in Tipperary a few weeks ago...everyone knows about it anyway

laoisforliam

deisedude wrote: »

What does it matter to you if he is gay? I'm sure Donal Og will be gutted when he hears you dont approve:rolleyes:

Anywho fair play to him for coming out. Don't particularly like him for shafting Gerald but thats a different matter. The timing of him coming out just before he releases an autobiography seems a little convenient
though

So it was all a lovers tiff?? lol
Ah no fair play to the chap he has shown alot of bravery.

macadam

Thought everyone knew he was gay as the chants behind the goalmouths were a bit of a giveaway, was his nickname in the cork dressing room not "the ******",
He would be a great asset at training ,set him out in front and get the other forty lads to chase him, he would run like fcuk in case they would catch him and they would bust there balls trying to catch him, session over.