David Gough: GAA’s rainbow wristband ban drew far more attention

Inter-county referee David Gough believes the GAA’s decision not to allow him wear a rainbow wristband during the Dublin-Tyrone Division 1 game last March drew more attention than had he been permitted to don it.

The Meath official had requested permission to wear the garment to highlight the problem of homophobia and his call for a “yes” vote in the marriage referendum but was turned down on the grounds it was a political statement.

“I just felt at the time the environment and the atmosphere in the country was right to be able to let people know about my sexuality,” he said on Newstalk’s The Moncrieff Show yesterday.