Fans rally to support Cusack amid fears GAA star will quit
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POLITICIANS, GAA stars and hurling fans have urged Donal Og Cusack not to hang up his hurley amid concerns about the reaction to his decision to come out as a gay man.
The Cork goalkeeper was overwhelmed yesterday with messages of support from teammates, Rebels fans and GAA supporters in his native club, Cloyne.
Senior Cork GAA stars including Ben O'Connor, Brian Corcoran, Sean Og O'hAilpin, Tom Kenny, Timmy McCarthy and Cathal Naughton stressed they respected Cusack's decision to go public -- and admired both his honesty and courage.
Cork hurling star and GAA commentator Tomas Mulcahy said he expected Cusack to continue.
Yesterday it was announced that Donal Og will be a guest on the 'Late Late Show' on Friday night.
However, some Cork GAA officials have privately expressed concern about the possible reaction of a minority of fans.
The GAA -- which has proudly led the way with multiculturalism, integration and tolerance within sport -- is now expected to adopt a hard-line stance to any unacceptable reaction from fans.
Fans flooded Cork radio stations 96 FM and Red FM yesterday with calls supporting Cusack.
The only criticisms were from fans worried that his comments about Cork Co Board could reignite the bitter strike by players that ended earlier this year. Others expressed concern that former manager Gerald McCarthy could be hurt by some of the commentary.
The players' strike only ended when Mr McCarthy stepped down as Cork hurling manager amid concerns for his family.
Cusack -- whose biography 'Come What May' will be published on October 23 -- has already been staunchly supported by both Cloyne GAA members and his fellow Cork hurling teammates.
Veteran Cork forward Timmy McCarthy said: "Of course he has my support."
Cork and Newtownshandrum star Ben O'Connor paid tribute to Donal Og Cusack as a true sportsman of great integrity.
"He is a top man. (Donal) is one of the best and most genuine GAA men around. He will be supported by Cork players and all genuine GAA people -- absolutely 100pc," he said.
Others pointed out that Corkonians traditionally stood by their own.
Star forward Cathal Naughton said true GAA fans would remember how much Donal Og had given to the game over the past 15 years.
"We are all fully, 100pc behind him. (Donal) is a great man and has (done) so much for all of us. This won't change anything," he vowed.
Locals in Donal Og's native village of Cloyne also rallied to show their support yesterday.
Tom Canavan, a neighbour and friend of the Cusack family, said Donal Og's courage and honesty should be an inspiration to all Irish people.
"There are 100,000 people playing GAA in this country and he is hardly the only one who is gay. I hope his comments will be a help to other gay sportspeople," he declared.
Others admitted the revelations in his biography left them startled.
"When my son told me yesterday, I was hit for six. But the main thing is he was able to come out," Cloyne woman Kitty Ryan said.
- Ralph Riegel
Irish Independent
