Colm O'Rourke criticised for using 'homophobic language' on RTÉ

A comment made by RTÉ analyst Colm O'Rourke has been labelled as homophobic by leading GAA referee David Gough.

During a discussion on the black card rule on Allianz League Sunday last night, O'Rourke said removing contact from the game would turn it into a "pansy-boy" game.

"If a person isn't going to have the ability to go for a ball and take a chance on hitting somebody, then we'll have nothing in the game. It will be a namby-pamby pansy-boy game and I think none of us want that," he said.

Former Cork hurler and mental health campaigner Conor Cusack tweeted: "Not long after the GAA's first official participation in Gay Pride, the outdated label 'pansy boy' used on a GAA TV programme".

Not long after the GAA's first official participation in Gay Pride, the outdated label 'pansy boy' used on a GAA TV programme🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/CVdeuObUEN

— Conor Cusack (@Conor14Cusack) February 2, 2020

David Gough, who refereed last year's drawn All-Ireland football final, added: "The pejorative use of homophobic language on national TV is abhorrent and unacceptable. I'm disgusted."

The pejorative use of homophobic language on national TV is abhorrent and unacceptable. I'm disgusted. @RTEmcbennettd @RTEgaa https://t.co/PtuFHUz5Ur

— David Gough (@goughd4) February 2, 2020

It's understood that O'Rourke contacted Gough earlier today to discuss the matter.

RTÉ are not commenting on the issue.

- Updated with additional information at 4pm.

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