CORK FOOTBALLER VALERIE Mulcahy has become the first high-profile ladies GAA star to come out publicly with the 9-time All-Ireland winning footballer discussing her sexuality in Donal Óg Cusack‘s Coming Out of the Curve documentary.
In the programme – set for broadcast next Monday – Mulcahy reveals she wasn’t always as comfortable with her sexuality as she is now, admitting:
“When I was younger, I didn’t want to be gay.”
However, with Cusack describing the Cork woman as the real star of the documentary in this week’s RTÉ Guide, some of the most affecting images in the broadcast are said to be of “Valerie and her partner kissing and holding hands.
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“Similarly uplifting is the story of young Cork hurler Chris McCarthy, who got in touch with the production during the making of the documentary.”
While Mulcahy is the first female GAA star to come out publicly, Irish hockey player Nikki Symmons revealed her sexuality on RTÉ’s Second Captains last October.
Fair play to her, Really brave considering her occupation and the fact that her school can legally fire her because of her sexuality. Modern Ireland at it’s worst! Time for this and many other extreme religious laws to be consigned to history
Section 37, if a teacher in a religious school (or other professionals in any religiously run institution) shows signs of non-conformity to that religious orders teachings, they can be legally fired. This includes being gay or showing anything but condemnation for homosexual practices.
Jason, because despite the fact that all schools are state funded those with a religious ethos bullied the Gov of the day to implement a law Section 37 of the Employment equality that allows for discrimination and bigotry based on outdated religious Ideas
Played football with her in Irish college years ago and she destroyed everyone she marked, male and female. Absolute class act and was an extremely nice girl. Good on ya Valerie. Leading the way.
Some of you are making gay people out to be an alien spieces where descriptions are nice sound you knew her she was humanoid
She could be your sister he could be your brother
Why the need to prove they are okay it’s fockin irrelevant
We are all the same
Ah no it’s just that i found it hilarious that a girl made you look like a complete eejit in front of the nation. Go back to grammar school you bitter manc.
Ah I was right. Knew my gaydar wasn’t on the blip. Great athlete, one of the best female footballers by a long shot and an asset to Cork. Fair play to her and Donal, not an easy thing to do.
Its a pity that people feel they have to hide their sexuality in particular sports people. I’m pretty sure there is plenty more playing inter county who are gay. Just hope that the courage these two Cork stars makes it easier for others.
There are Walter, and always have been. It’s just they’re closeted, like so many others are, in every industry. Even in Hollywood over the last 100 years, right up to today (which you’d image wouldn’t be necessary considering what it – singing, dancing, dressing up etc). Footballers have an especially hard time of it. Justin Fashnu tried and look how he ended up…
I really don’t understand why is someone’s sexual preference even an issue? Gay or not.
I played lots of sports. Nobody asked my sexual preference before a snooker, swimming, tennis, squash, hurling or football game. Can someone please explain why gay people feel the need to declare their sexual preference?
People will assume it, there will be rumour and conjecture otherwise. You may as well come out, help it to be come mundane so that wider society can get over it and go back to discussing Kim Kardashians arse….
But if it’s about rumour and conjecture doesn’t that only matter to someone who is NOT gay.
If I am gay and there are rumours. Me ‘coming out’ confirms the rumours and removes all doubt. I am effectively labelling myself when it’s nobodies business surely?
If I am straight and there’s rumours I am gay…. I only really benefit if I come out as straight (setting record straight).
Let me add… I don’t care if someone is gay/ straight. Pass me the ball and we’ll get along just fine :-)
It shouldn’t matter, but being the subject of the rumour mill is not fun. I’ve been there. Particularly when there are people partaking in the rumour mill that say all gay people are paedophiles etc etc. If gay people come out, people that are successful and good role models, it will normalise it for us nobodies!
Good one Mike, I’m drinking more Barrys Tea here in France than ever before. Thanks for the witty reply to Pud brains comment. Can’t beat the Cork people for their sense of humour.
Jesus will relax people it’s only a bit of cork slagging
Bottom line is she’s the best GAA ladies player maybe ever and high 5
In relation to being gay it doesn’t matter
Upthedubs
Eh, Dublin keep beating Cork? You do realise that Cork have won 9 of the last 10 all Ireland ladies football finals. How many have Dublin won? Oh, that’s right. One – in the last forty years. Good luck…
At some point we are going to get into “The only Gay in the Village” syndrome. Am I wrong in suggesting that
a) “Coming out” just isn’t really a ‘thing’ any more.
b) No one is usually surprised.
c) If a leading female soccer/rugby/GAA player came and and announced she was actually straight, people would still have their doubts. (politically incorrect comment but I think its fair to say)
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Fair play to her, Really brave considering her occupation and the fact that her school can legally fire her because of her sexuality. Modern Ireland at it’s worst! Time for this and many other extreme religious laws to be consigned to history
Fair play to her hopefully the day comes when this isn’t news
Section 37, if a teacher in a religious school (or other professionals in any religiously run institution) shows signs of non-conformity to that religious orders teachings, they can be legally fired. This includes being gay or showing anything but condemnation for homosexual practices.
Jason, because despite the fact that all schools are state funded those with a religious ethos bullied the Gov of the day to implement a law Section 37 of the Employment equality that allows for discrimination and bigotry based on outdated religious Ideas
”some of the most affecting images in the broadcast are said to be of “Valerie and her partner kissing and holding hands” – GIGGITY!
Played football with her in Irish college years ago and she destroyed everyone she marked, male and female. Absolute class act and was an extremely nice girl. Good on ya Valerie. Leading the way.
And a nice girl is relevant yeah?
I think by nice he meant sound.
She’s sound and that is relevant to being gay
It is not. He was just pointing out that he knew her, and that he thought she was sound.
Some of you are making gay people out to be an alien spieces where descriptions are nice sound you knew her she was humanoid
She could be your sister he could be your brother
Why the need to prove they are okay it’s fockin irrelevant
We are all the same
Ah go way boy willa…
You could be straight or gay and you can still be sound or a langer like yourself
howzatme, you’re getting worked up over nothing.
@howzatme. Being nice is relevant because it’s so much better than being an assh0le!
Says the tallaght dude
Relax its not your fault your from cork
I’m sure it’s not your fault your an absolute langer!
What is a langer lol
Sorry what is a langer boy
It’s not your fault *you’re* from Cork. Basics…
Nice one Ailbhe.
Niall did mammy not give you a bicky when you didn’t wet your nappy
Ah no it’s just that i found it hilarious that a girl made you look like a complete eejit in front of the nation. Go back to grammar school you bitter manc.
I think I’m right
Morto for ya.
I look forward to the day when people’s sexuality isn’t news anymore.
Right you are. FairPlay to them but I couldn’t give a hoot
Ah I was right. Knew my gaydar wasn’t on the blip. Great athlete, one of the best female footballers by a long shot and an asset to Cork. Fair play to her and Donal, not an easy thing to do.
Best wishes to Valerie and Chris. Not feeling like you have to hide a part of yourselves away anymore is going to feel good. Play on…
Worst kept secret. This has been common knowledge for years. Good on ya Valerie.
What going on in Cork is there something in the water!!!!
Its a pity that people feel they have to hide their sexuality in particular sports people. I’m pretty sure there is plenty more playing inter county who are gay. Just hope that the courage these two Cork stars makes it easier for others.
Fair play to her she won’t be the last.also its amazing no footballers across Europe are gay when the stats say one in ten people are gay
Walter ; who said no footballers in Europe are Gay , also stats are for Twits .
Yep. It’s called equality of esteem. We take and respect people as we find them. (Unless you’re from Kerry)
There are Walter, and always have been. It’s just they’re closeted, like so many others are, in every industry. Even in Hollywood over the last 100 years, right up to today (which you’d image wouldn’t be necessary considering what it – singing, dancing, dressing up etc). Footballers have an especially hard time of it. Justin Fashnu tried and look how he ended up…
Liam Davis
Robbie Rogers
Fashanu
Matthew Taylor
Sol c is. Rumoured
Thomas hitzdpsrat
Anton hysen
Just a few
I assume you mean Thomas Hitzlsperger mate!
Spell check
No Paul, I don’t think it’s the water. Could just be a craving for attention and publicity.
Well Pud there’s definitely something in something, can’t quite put my finger on it
Very intelligent answer
If this news to anybody I would be surprised.
While I’m not sure she ever hid her sexuality, in the last number of years at least, I am sure she never needed to.
I really don’t understand why is someone’s sexual preference even an issue? Gay or not.
I played lots of sports. Nobody asked my sexual preference before a snooker, swimming, tennis, squash, hurling or football game. Can someone please explain why gay people feel the need to declare their sexual preference?
People will assume it, there will be rumour and conjecture otherwise. You may as well come out, help it to be come mundane so that wider society can get over it and go back to discussing Kim Kardashians arse….
God I couldn’t discuss her arse it reminds me of a coffee table I hated
Thanks Ailbhe.
But if it’s about rumour and conjecture doesn’t that only matter to someone who is NOT gay.
If I am gay and there are rumours. Me ‘coming out’ confirms the rumours and removes all doubt. I am effectively labelling myself when it’s nobodies business surely?
If I am straight and there’s rumours I am gay…. I only really benefit if I come out as straight (setting record straight).
Let me add… I don’t care if someone is gay/ straight. Pass me the ball and we’ll get along just fine :-)
It shouldn’t matter, but being the subject of the rumour mill is not fun. I’ve been there. Particularly when there are people partaking in the rumour mill that say all gay people are paedophiles etc etc. If gay people come out, people that are successful and good role models, it will normalise it for us nobodies!
Herself and Donal Óg should get a room…
Lmao.
Don’t think that would work though.
Who cares is right ,
I’am just not moving to Cork or Drinking Barry’s Tea anymore.
We’re all very sad to hear that here in Cork. Send us a postcard won’t you.
Good one Mike, I’m drinking more Barrys Tea here in France than ever before. Thanks for the witty reply to Pud brains comment. Can’t beat the Cork people for their sense of humour.
Jesus will relax people it’s only a bit of cork slagging
Bottom line is she’s the best GAA ladies player maybe ever and high 5
In relation to being gay it doesn’t matter
Upthedubs
It does matter to us unknowns UP THE REBELS
Mike ur some Langer!!
;-).
Why is this news like who cares what sexuality GAA players are all that matters is that dublin keep beating cork and the dub ladies take over in 2015
Eh, Dublin keep beating Cork? You do realise that Cork have won 9 of the last 10 all Ireland ladies football finals. How many have Dublin won? Oh, that’s right. One – in the last forty years. Good luck…
Mike read it again
Don’t need to mate. It’s still the same as when you first posted it.
Mile I assume your not in Mensa
Fed up with these sport stars coming out.who cares. Its21st century
At some point we are going to get into “The only Gay in the Village” syndrome. Am I wrong in suggesting that
a) “Coming out” just isn’t really a ‘thing’ any more.
b) No one is usually surprised.
c) If a leading female soccer/rugby/GAA player came and and announced she was actually straight, people would still have their doubts. (politically incorrect comment but I think its fair to say)