Latest news with #GAASocial
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Flanagan read 'every comment' after Cork incident
Five-time All-Ireland winner Seamus Flanagan admitted he "regrets" an off-the-ball incident in an Allianz Hurling League game with Cork in February. Flanagan came under scrutiny for appearing to strike Niall O'Leary with his hurl in the 1-16-all draw after footage of the incident was posted on social media. The incident was missed by match officials and the 28-year-old avoided a ban from the GAA but Flanagan was kept on the sidelines after he was sanctioned internally. "It was one moment in my career that I regret," Flanagan said on the GAA Social podcast. "It was a lapse in judgement. We've all been in the heat of battle and said something or done something we shouldn't." Flanagan said he read every comment on social media about the incident after fan footage went viral, and said that he "let the team down". "The aftermath on social media, I looked at every piece of it. I looked at every comment, with people calling me and that. "You're saying 'if I just didn't lift the hurley, would my season have gone differently?'. "It was probably the start of my downfall for the season. Other players came in and done really well, and I maybe lost touch with management because of it. "I wouldn't class myself as a dirty player, but it was a big regret for me." Flanagan added that he feels inside forwards aren't protected by officials and that played a role in the incident. "There's so much off the ball that you have no control over. "You're getting verbal abuse, physical abuse. I'm well able to give it, but it's one of the moments in my career that I regret the most. Listen to the GAA Social with Shane O'Donnell and Seamus Flanagan on BBC Sounds.
Irish Daily Mirror
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Gay GAA star admits nerves at football return after 'coming out' on podcast
Gay football star Kevin Penrose has opened up about his nerves returning to the sport after launching his podcast. The Tyrone player admitted he felt like he had to 'come out' all over again when he did his GAA Social podcast earlier this year. Kevin had told his family, friends and team-mates in 2022. He said of going back to playing: 'I remember the first match back… I thought, OK, the majority of these lads have most likely listened to this podcast in the past couple of weeks and I know they know. 'So I felt nervous walking across the pitch and in the changing rooms, you get that bit of paranoia. 'But everything was grand. You meet different lads at the changing room doors, they'd shake your hand and say well done. 'It brings you back, you just don't know what to expect.' Since launching his own podcast, the GAA Social, the travel influencer, 31, said it has helped many people feel comfortable with their sexuality. He added: 'Even to this day... like the podcast was how many months ago. 'I came out three years ago, but the podcast felt like I was coming out again but to a much larger audience and really honing in on that GAA demographic, which is teenagers to 60 plus year olds. 'People even come up to me in person and shake my hand…it's hard to know what to say to them in those moments because every journey is different but I'm glad they're finding some sort of comfort in it that they can see there is so much goodness and joy on the other side. 'I was guilty of it myself. I keep thinking that everything would go wrong in my life and you never stop to think that everything could go right so I'm glad that people have taken something from it.' But he said he found it hard reading the negative comments about his sexuality. He added: 'It was more like on Facebook. The comments were completely different to what I'd see on Instagram. 'Again, Facebook is a different demographic and they're older. 'I think people were just saying again, 'Why is this guy making a song and dance about coming out?' Pride month for example, like asking 'why do we need Pride month?' You're sort of answering your own question with your ignorance because this is exactly why we need it. 'I've been very lucky I haven't experienced anything negative. 'The likes of people on Facebook probably didn't even listen to the podcast, they just see the headline.' Kevin was speaking at the launch of SuperValu's new limited-edition Pride themed Bag for Life. Available this month in SuperValu stores across the country, the bold and bright rainbow tote is set to be the must-have bag of the summer and is available to purchase for €3. Profits will go to Belong To – LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland, the national LGBTQ+ youth organisation. Kevin said: 'I am delighted to team up with SuperValu for this important campaign supporting the incredible work of Belong To. As someone who has been through the journey of coming out within the GAA community, I'm incredibly passionate about allyship, and inclusion both on and off the pitch. 'By buying one of these bags and 'Carrying it with Pride', you are sending a powerful message that no matter who you are, you belong. 'I hope a campaign like this not only gives people the courage to be themselves but also reminds everyone to stand up and be proud allies for the LGBTQ+ community.'
Irish Examiner
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Eoghan Cormican: 'I never felt entirely comfortable when dressing room craic went into a machismo direction. I withdrew, and waited for the moment to pass'
I was fortunate enough to be in attendance at last week's Gaelic Players Association Pride brunch. Two good friends, Mary White and Valerie Mulcahy, were heading from Cork and asked if I'd like to join them. I'd been aware of the event in previous years but work and life had always conspired to get in the way. Last Monday, the decks were cleared for the 7am train to Heuston. Full disclosure from the throw-in: I attended the event not as a sportswriter, but as a gay man. And attending as such, it was never my intention to write about the day's happenings. This was not a day of chasing stories untold, this was a day of celebrating stories no longer untold. But such were the day's happenings, and such was the courage and strength on display from the men in the room, I'd be letting myself down if I didn't use my platform to follow some bit in their lead. The centrepiece of the event was a panel discussion featuring Armagh footballer Mark Shields and Tyrone club footballer Kevin Penrose, moderated by Tyrone half-forward Conor Meyler. Conor's allyship of the LGBTQ+ community is well known. Kevin's story of coming out and self-acceptance is known to anyone who's been lucky enough to hear his chat with Thomas Niblock and Oisín McConville on the BBC's GAA Social podcast. And then to Mark. Mark intrigued me simply because I and most others present did not know his story. We didn't know it because he'd never told his story in a public forum before. His body language and twitching atop the high stool he sat spoke of a man nervous in doing so. Utterly understandable, mind. Wouldn't you be nervous if it was you bridging a 16-year gap to the last time a male inter-county player opened up about their sexuality. When Donal Óg Cusack pioneered as he did all those years ago, I doubt anyone thought it would be 2025 before a second male inter-county player came after. Ireland and its relationship with the gay community has changed beyond recognition in the intervening 16 years. So changed, in fact, that one argument has routinely been put forward in more recent times as to the lack of representation at inter-county level and why there isn't necessarily a need for these players to share their sexuality with a wider audience. The argument goes that if an inter-county hurler or footballer is comfortable with his sexuality, and his teammates are aware, accepting, and supportive of his sexuality, why then is there a need to broadcast to the masses? I sat in admiration and deep respect of Mark as shared his story last Monday, as he shared his struggles and the verbal abuse he was subjected to. I thought to myself, as I'm sure most others in the room did too, that Mark's story - his journey - needed to be heard far beyond the walls of the Blas Cafe. His story, his struggles, and his now openness is why representation and visibility are imperative. It's why representation and visibility will remain imperative until gay men lining out on the highest steps of the GAA ladder becomes a social norm, as has been the case on the female side of the house for several years. Mark, from atop his high stool, spoke of keeping his relationship hidden from team-mates for four years. He spoke of how language used in dressing-rooms in years past was hurtful. He spoke of disengaging and retreating into himself when the 'banter' flowed in the Armagh dressing-room. He spoke of the language and abuse directed at him on the field, of opponents remarking how they needed to be careful not to bend over in front of him. 'It was a daunting task coming out, about 10-12 years ago. The culture has changed within society, within the group in Armagh. The language used around the group is changing. There's people standing up for people, for myself in the group, whereas maybe that didn't happen that much before. I think the culture is changing within the GAA itself.' Changing, yes, but space still for the dial to move further. From listening to Mark and speaking to others, it's clear that a sizeable portion of straight men aren't self-regulating their own language until they know there is a gay man further down the dressing-room bench. It would be remiss of me here not to add in my own experience, albeit from a much, much lower step of the GAA ladder than Mark. Played club hurling up to my late 20s. Sat in a few different dressing-rooms along the way. Never felt entirely comfortable when the conversation and the craic went into a machismo direction. Withdrew, waited for the moment to pass. AWARD WINNER: Eoghan Cormican being recognised by the Camogie Association for his coverage of the code. He is pictured alongside Una Dunne and then president of the Camogie Association, Kathleen Woods. Conor Meyler was brilliant on this language piece at the Pride brunch. The requirement for greater self-awareness. The requirement to foster an inclusive environment not after but before a teammate opens up. It was lost on nobody at the event that Conor, Kevin, and Mark were making these points to a room predominantly full of women, even though the invite went to all. The same as Mark, my coming out took place several years ago. I have, though, never written about it until now. I guess I just wanted in some small way to add to the momentum of last Monday, to reinforce the point that while it is no longer any great revelation for a male inter-county player to share publicly their sexuality, sport and society still needs a Mark Shields. By his actions and his words this week, Mark did both the GAA and LGBTQ+ communities a fine and invaluable service. In this the business end of an inter-county season where his Armagh team are attempting to successfully defend Sam Maguire, he willingly assumed role model status in colours not just orange. In this Pride month, he sent a powerful reminder to any person struggling as he once did that you can happily and confidently exist as a member of both communities. One need never be kept hidden from the other. Read More Paul Rouse: NFL at Croke Park is welcome but military should not be part of spectacle
Wales Online
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
BBC Sport presenter bravely opens up on miscarriage heartbreak
BBC Sport presenter bravely opens up on miscarriage heartbreak The GAA Social Podcast with Oisin McConville and Thomas Niblock spoke to former Galway All-Ireland-winning hurler Johnny Glynn about his and his wife Serena's fertility issues Thomas Niblock opened up about the miscarriages his wife Kirstie has had to go through (Image: thomasniblock/Twitter ) BBC Sport presenter Thomas Niblock has opened up about the personal anguish of miscarriage and fertility complications following his revelation that his wife Kirstie tragically lost three pregnancies. In an emotive segment on the GAA Social Podcast, Niblock and fellow host Oisin McConville invited ex-Galway hurling champion Johnny Glynn to share his harrowing experiences. Living in New York with his wife Serena, Glynn faced similar sorrows in his journey to parenthood. Only recently, after steering New York to victory in the Lory Meagher Cup at Croke Park, Glynn learnt that their latest IVF attempt had failed. During the podcast, McConville described it as a "privilege" to hear such candid and heartfelt discussions about the struggles of fertility, pregnancy loss, and ectopic ruptures, reports Belfast Live. Niblock laid bare the trials he and his wife Kirstie have endured. "It is not an exaggeration in any way - my family and friends would know this - we were very close to losing Kirstie," he disclosed. "So that shapes you. You go from your fertility after that and I am thinking, it would be amazing and I'd love to have kids, like most people would. "Not all - but certainly most. But at the same time when you nearly lose your wife that's the game changer for me and that's the priority. That shapes you as well. Article continues below Johnny Glynn joined Oisin McConville and Thomas Niblock on the BBC's GAA Social podcast "Then time passes by and you definitely do want kids. So that's where we're at, at the minute. We haven't tried IVF. That may be coming down the pathway. My wife is very lucky. She has a great set of friends - been really supportive towards her. She's a very strong person. "She doesn't take things too seriously whereas everybody I would find would be quite different in this scenario. She has a good head on her shoulders. But it still is heavy stuff. I just feel it would be hypocritical if I didn't put myself out there, even though it's a bit weird to be talking about it." Glynn's experience echoed similar sentiments, as he disclosed: "Unfortunately we've had a few miscarriages. We've had an ectopic pregnancy. We've done a few rounds of IVF. "We are after finishing our fifth round of IVF transfers and they've all been unsuccessful so far. To be honest with you, where we are at I don't know exactly. I don't know how we are going to get there yet but we are going to get there. Thomas Niblock opened up about the fertility issues he and his wife Kirstie have endured (Image: thomasniblock/Twitter ) "When we do have kids and if they grow up to be healthy and fine, do you know what I'll take these two years. I'll take this tough time because it's only going to be for a little bit of time. We are going to get over it. We are going to be fine. "Not to sound soft or anything, but as long as myself and Serena have each other, we'll be okay. What upsets me is seeing her so upset. I firmly believe, I will be ok, if she is ok. It's not being able to fix this for her, it's the one thing that is out of my control, that I can't do for my wife. It's a f*****g killer." The pair opened up about their fertility journey, including sperm testing and confronting the discomfort caused by questions about starting a family. Niblock shared an anecdote of common enquiries he faces: 'No kids yet Tommy?' before adding: "I would have known, even not going through our experience, if someone is married a year or two and they are in their 30s and there's no kids, there might be a wee issue there. Don't maybe say something to them. "So I push back and say: 'To be honest, we've had three miscarriages' and the face just drops. But I feel that's important to say that. It's not me being guarded. It's just maybe more: 'you should have a wee think about that.' I am grand with it and it doesn't bother me, but I definitely know of other people it does. The BBC presenter revealed his wife had gone through three miscarriages (Image: thomasniblock/Twitter ) "I am always amazed by the response of so many people. Once you tell people you've had a miscarriage, they'll say: 'Tommy, know all about it, one or two myself.' "Now their stage is different. This is what I think, my whole thing is if you have two or three kids and you have two or three miscarriages before, I'd be 100 percent with that. "It's not mitigation against what happened in the past but your journey is a past tense one. But I think if you are in the midst of it and you don't have any kids and your story to tell is - in my case three miscarriages - you are in a very different place. Article continues below "Not in a mean way but because so many people have no history of talking about it. It is bit weird for me even talking about this. In my life I'd say this is the most I've ever put myself out there so I am at fault as much as anybody else, because it's not talked about. It's not normalised and people don't really know what way to deal about it. "We're still clinging on to hope and hope is a very powerful thing. If hope was gone, then you're realigning yourself - adoptions, fostering, no kids whatsoever. Me and Kirstie will have a brilliant life, no matter what way that goes, as long as she's there." The full podcast is available on BBC Sounds here.
Irish Daily Mirror
04-06-2025
- General
- Irish Daily Mirror
BBC sports presenter and All-Ireland winner open up on toll of miscarriages
The latest episode of the BBC GAA Social tackled an important issue with host Thomas Niblock and Galway All-Ireland winning hurler Johnny Glynn discussing the miscarriages their wives have suffered, IVF and the effect it has had on themselves and their partners. In a powerful podcast, BBC presenter Niblock talked about the three miscarriages himself and his wife, Kirstie, have had to deal with, while Glynn, who is based in New York, spoke about going through IVF with his partner Serena. Derry man Niblock stressed how he felt that if Glynn was prepared to discuss his experiences publicly that it would be wrong of him not to do so, before he began his personal story. 'It is not an exaggeration in any way - my family and friends would know this - we were very close to losing Kirstie,' said Niblock. 'So that shapes you. You go from your fertility after that and I am thinking, it would be amazing and I'd love to have kids, like most people would. 'Not all - but certainly most. But at the same time when you nearly lose your wife that's the game changer for me and that's the priority. That shapes you as well. 'Then time passes by and you definitely do want kids. So that's where we're at, at the minute. 'We haven't tried IVF. That may be coming down the pathway. My wife is very lucky. She has a great set of friends - been really supportive towards her. She's a very strong person. 'She doesn't take things too seriously whereas everybody I would find would be quite different in this scenario. She has a good head on her shoulders. 'But it still is heavy stuff. I just feel it would be hypocritical if I didn't put myself out there, even though it's a bit weird to be talking about it.' Glynn said his story was 'very similar,' adding, 'Unfortunately we've had a few miscarriages. We've had an ectopic pregnancy. We've done a few rounds of IVF. 'It's a heavy thing now. It's tough. It's very tough. I'd always say it. When you are growing up, that's one thing that's uneducated in Ireland - is how to actually have a baby. 'When I was a young lad growing up, you are nearly taught that you'd look at a girl without a condom and she'd surely get pregnant. 'It's a real mind boggling situation. My wife Serena, there is nobody in the world who deserves a child more than her. 'She is unbelievable with kids. She has time for everyone. To be honest just the last two years have been very tough on her, very, very tough. 'We are after finishing our fifth round of IVF transfers and they've all been unsuccessful so far. To be honest with you, where we are at I don't know exactly. I don't know how we are going to get there yet but we are going to get there. 'I think we had our ectopic and a few people heard - nice messages and different things. There was one message, from our physio with the senior footballers. 'She sent us a message and she just said, 'Kids won't pass deserving parents.' And I do believe that. 'I firmly believe that me and Serena are meant to be parents and it's going to happen. It might be taking a little bit longer, but it's going to happen. I firmly, firmly believe that and know it. 'It stuck with me. I know we deserve to be parents, so it's going to happen. It's just taking a bit of time. 'Everyone goes through tough times. My brother's going through tough times. His wife Sophie, she buried her two parents in the last month - god rest them. 'When we do have kids and if they grow up to be healthy and fine, do you know what I'll take these two years. 'I'll take this tough time because it's only going to be for a little bit of time. We are going to get over it. We are going to be fine. 'Not to sound soft or anything, but as long as myself and Serena have each other, we'll be okay.' The pair also discussed the process of going to have their sperm tested by doctors hoping the issue might have been with them, and why they are so open with people who inadvertently ask them when are they having kids - even though it hurts them. Thomas Niblock explained what he'd hear sometimes: 'No kids yet Tommy?' 'I would have known, even not going through our experience, if someone is married a year or two and they are in their 30s and there's no kids, there might be a wee issue there. Don't maybe say something to them. 'So I push back and say, 'To be honest, we've had three miscarriages' and the face just drops. But I feel that's important to say that. 'It's not me being guarded. It's just maybe more, 'you should have a wee think about that.' 'I am grand with it and it doesn't bother me, but I definitely know of other people it does. 'I am always amazed by the response of so many people. Once you tell people you've had a miscarriage, they'll say, 'Tommy, know all about it, one or two myself.' 'Now their stage is different. This is what I think, my whole thing is if you have two or three kids and you have two or three miscarriages before, I'd be l00percent with that. 'It's not mitigation against what happened in the past but your journey is a past tense one. 'But I think if you are in the midst of it and you don't have any kids and your story to tell is - in my case three miscarriages - you are in a very different place. Not in a mean way but because so many people have no history of talking about it. It is bit weird for me even talking about this 'In my life I'd say this is the most I've ever put myself out there so I am at fault as much as anybody else, because it's not talked about. It's not normalised and people don't really know what way to deal about it.' The full podcast is available on BBC Sounds here.
