Heated Rivalry wasn’t just TV — it mirrored the hidden reality of being gay in Irish sport

Former GAA player Kevin Penrose reflects on identity, silence and why LGBTQ+ representation in sport still deeply matters.

'Heated Rivalry' didn’t change my life. But it reminded me of something important: that stories have power. They can open conversations. They can offer relief. They can make someone feel seen for the first time. File photo

When I first started watching Heated Rivalry, I expected what most people did. A sports romance. A lot of tension. A lot of heat. What I didn’t expect was to feel like someone had reached back into my own life and put words, faces, and scenes to emotions I’d spent years trying to hide from those around me personally and on the pitch.

For many viewers, it’s entertainment. For others, it’s escapism. But for me, it felt like recognition and representation.