Dónal Óg applauded for his courage

Cork hurling star Dónal Óg Cusack has received huge support for his frank and open revelation about his sexuality in his upcoming autobiography.

He revealed how he told his family and teammates that he was gay in the new book called ‘Come What May’.

The Cork goalkeeper spoke of the difficulties he faced and going to gay nightclubs in Cork on his own and having to fly home from a team trip to South Africa to tell his parents and brothers and sister the news as rumours started to circulate.

As the first major GAA star to openly admit they were gay, Dónal Óg has been commended by gay rights campaigners for the step he has taken.

Dave Roche, manager of the Cork Gay Community Development Project, applauded his courage.

“His decision sends out a very positive message to others,” he said. “While coming out to your family or friends can be difficult, often the most difficult part is coming out to yourself.”

Writing in his autobiography, 32-year-old Dónal Óg said he flew back from South Africa after his sister Treasa rang him and said there were rumours about him back home.

He said he sat down to tell his family the truth. “I think my mother always knew, but for Dad it was a big shock.”

The All-Ireland medal winner said he also received great support from his fellow hurlers.

He said Seán Óg Ó hAilpín, whom he was very close to, was content that he had told him and he said they came out of the conversation like brothers.

He added that Brian Corcoran, who was a God to Cusack, said he was there for him, as did all his other teammates.

In ‘Come What May’, Donal Óg describes the difficulties he faced as a gay man, having to go to nightclubs in Cork on his own.

“To the world I live in, I’m a man’s man. And in the early years, I was that and I was also going into gay nightclubs in Cork all on my own.

“There was no choice but to find out where one of these places was and get in from Cloyne and just walk in there,” he said.

Donal Óg said that the first gay nightclub he went into was The Other Place on South Main Street.

“I got to the door. Nervous. I said: ‘Right Ógie boy, this is going to be a bit of a challenge,’ took a deep breath and went in.

“I recognised the bouncer but by that time there was no turning back.

“Now I am in this nightclub and everything is strange and new and my confidence isn’t what it should be.

“A fella comes up to me and says: ‘You’re Dónal Óg, yeah?’

“Sheer panic. I shake my head. Deny it. I just say: ‘Sorry no.’

“And that’s the worst feeling.

“People say it would be easier, wouldn’t it, to just fit in with everyone else? But you can’t live with denial, you can’t be somebody else. I woke up next day and made a vow to myself: that will never again let it f**king happen. Never ever again. Whatever came my way, I would always be me.”

Fine Gael TD for Cork East Dave Stanton said Dónal Óg is hugely respected in Cork and is a great role model for young kids.

“We have lots of reports of young people in schools going through difficult times because of their sexual orientation but perhaps because of what Dónal Óg has done it will make people stop and reflect and also help a lot of young people,” he said.

Minister for Foreign Micheál Martin also said today he wished him well.

The Minister said that Donal Óg had been an outstanding achiever in sport and is much loved in his native Cork. And he would continue to be a role model for young people in the years ahead.

The Minister said he looked forward to reading his book and wished him every success with it.

Fine Gael front bench spokesman Simon Coveney said: “Our sexuality is our own business. Friends of mine who I meet every week are both gay and straight. It’s their private business but if they wish to make it public then I have no problem with it”.

It is believed that the Cork star could be a guest on ‘The Late Late Show’ on Friday night.

Dónal Óg will also be travelling with members of the Cork hurlers to Zambia next month as part of the Alan Kerins African Project to build houses for the needy.

Article courtesy of The Evening Echo newspaper.