Dónal Óg Cusack, Star Irish Athlete Comes Out

I have to confess I normally associate the word "hurling" with drunk college students, but the term also refers to an ancient Irish (or Gaelic) sport hugely popular in Ireland. And this weekend, hurling acquired it's first out star when 32-year-old goalkeeper Dónal Óg Cusack told the Irish Mail in an exclusive interview that he is, in fact, gay. The interview precedes Cusack's forthcoming autobiography Come What May which will detail both his private and public life.

In the book, Cusack discusses knowing he was gay since his early teens:

Since I was 13 or 14, I knew I was a bit different. I hate labels though. That's the way I am. I live with it and I am fine with it. People close to me will tell you there were never any tears. There was never agony. I just know this thing.

I've had to say this to people I'm close to again and again. This is who I am. This is what I do. I spend a lot of time trying to work things out but once I know something about myself, I know it. I don't agonise. It's logical to me. I thought about this but never had any problems dealing with it.

The Irish Examiner reports that Cusack's teammates are 100% supportive of his coming out: 

"Of course he has my support," said long-serving forward Timmy McCarthy, a stance echoed by midfielder Tom Kenny.

"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%."

Those sentiments were endorsed by O’Connor’s clubmate and inter-county colleague Cathal Naughton: "We’re all fully behind him, he’s a great man and has so much for all of us. This won’t change anything."

It's encouraging to see such a positive reaction to the news. I looked but was unable to find any articles where comments were allowed. It will be interesting to see how Irish fans react to the news. I'd live if some or our Irish readers would share what they know about the reaction to Cusack's news. But whatever the reaction, let me just add "Welcome, Donal! Happy to have you!

Thanks to AfterElton.com reader Ben for the tip about the news!