Kevin Penrose now thriving in the GAA world and beyond after coming out as gay
When asked why he doesn't make his life easier and transfer somewhere nearby, Penrose stated: "It keeps me in the loop with everyone back home. I always get the question would I not just transfer to a club down near here, and I'm just like 'no I can't do it'".
Speaking at the launch of SuperValu's new limited edition Pride themed Bag for Life, he continued: "I feel like I owe it to myself, my younger self to see it through now for the next coupe of years till retirement. The lads on the team, these are the people I grew up with."
When he dropped out of sport after moving abroad for university he lost connection with his club but now that he's back, he's landed on his feet.
"You walk into that changing room or on to that pitch with your head held high and you know that you're walking into a group of lads who fully support you for yourself," he added.
"I need to stand out here, to fit in to be liked"
Penrose grew up playing football, but struggled during his teenage years with his identity and sexuality.
Without a role model to look up to he became confused and anxious blaming football for these negative thoughts.
"Growing up for myself, I didn't have a role model who I saw myself in within that GAA culture and community and I think that's the reason I didn't know how to navigate that time in my life."
The environment in the changing rooms and on the pitch led Penrose to think that he couldn't be himself
"I need to stand out here, to fit in to be liked," he remarked.
"You hear the words being thrown around the changing room or on the pitch and it sort of makes you go back into yourself and for me it could be, in the corridor or the changing room thinking okay I can't act this way or talk about this or I have to get involved in this 'banter' per say to fit in."
Penrose's conflicting thoughts lead to a mental block on the pitch and resulted in him feeling he couldn't reach his potential. When the opportunity to travel arose he took it so he could escape the feelings he was having on the pitch.
"I associated Gaelic football and that environment with how I was feeling at that time, of being scared, not wanting to come out, just a build-up of thoughts in my mind of everything that could go wrong."
He soon realised however, the anxious confusing thoughts he was having was nothing to do with Gaelic football and everything to do with who he was deep down.
"I began realising that Gaelic football wasn't the problem; it was myself and coming to terms with the fact I was gay."
Three years ago when Penrose came out to his family and friends he was nervous about what his teammates would think. Those fears were soon set aside when Tyrone county player Ronan McNamee (below) reached out to him.
"To have a senior county player come and have those talks with you, it's encouraging, it's setting an example if your ally and advocate is Ronan McNamee. You're off to a great start.
He's willing to take up that role and have that difficult conversation that someone mightn't have the confidence to do - having him nudge me slightly after a few conversations, just reassuring me that no one is going to judge me, that I'm very welcome here makes coming back to football that bit easier."
Since his return, Penrose has noticed a culture shift amongst his team-mates, coaches and support staff. "Everyone's just there to play football," is now the positive summation.
The environment is one where he can embrace who he truly is and instead of worry about what others think of him, he's able to put all all his focus into the sport, where he's found the love again and he's making a real impact.
Another place he's making a real impact is as a role model and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community within the GAA. Penrose has been open about his own experience growing up in the GAA as a closeted gay teenager.
"Talking about it so openly and freely can really inspire and encourage other people even if it's somebody struggling with their sexuality, or if it's a football manager really wanting to get involved but not knowing how, you know it's going to help a lot of people I think."
When asked about how the GAA can become a better ally to the community, he stated: "It comes back to ourselves within the changing rooms, the managers, the backroom, the volunteers. I think it starts with that and then that's the ripple effect to show if one club can do it why can't every other club do it for everyone else."
He encourages people to be curious, educate themselves and spread awareness. "Use the resources online, BelongTo has so much information on there on allyship, on how to have a normal conversation, it doesn't have to be about being gay, just how's it going and that lays the ground work to have those deeper meaningful conversations down the line.
"Being open and transparent, if someone says something unintentional in the corridor without knowing its harmful, I need to be comfortable enough to call them out."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Players call on GAA to drop Allianz as sponsor after Occupied Palestinian Territories report
A number of prominent GAA stars have handed in an open letter and petition to management at Croke Park, calling on the association to drop Allianz insurance as a sponsor for GAA games. Close to 800 current and former players from Gaelic football, hurling, camogie and ladies' football signed the petition, which was handed over at GAA HQ in Dublin and received by an official there. The open letter to Ard-Stiúrthóir of the GAA Tom Ryan calls on the organisation to demonstrate its commitment to its principles and to international humanitarian law. The players are calling on the association to end its association with Allianz, after the insurance company was among a series of companies listed in a report by UN special rapporteur on Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories Francesca Albanese. Allianz Insurance was listed in the report published in June this year on the website of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights at the UN as being among companies and corporations Ms Albanese said were involved in sustaining and paying for Israel's actions in the Palestinian territories. Among those signing the petition is former Meath footballer, manager and commentator Colm O'Rourke. "Sometimes the right thing costs money but in this case it is the least of what we should do. I think all club members should be made aware of what is happening in their name because of the sponsorship of the competition. "GAA members probably aren't that aware of this. When they do become aware they will want the link with Allianz to be broken once and for all," he said. "If it means that we don't have a sponsor for the National League Competition, so be it," Mr O'Rourke added. He said he hoped the GAA would review its position and do so quickly. Former Dublin GAA footballer Kieran Duff was also among those at the protest who had signed the petition. A number of players travelled to Dublin for the protest and around 70 people took part in the protest. "Some action has to be taken. We're a small little country. This is our national game and if the GAA can't stand up and call them out, what hope has anyone got? The emphasis has to be that people go back to their clubs and push it further," Mr Duff said. A petition for all GAA members is being published on calling on people to bring motions to their own clubs and seeking a new sponsorship provider. Barrister and former Derry Ladies GAA player Nodlaig Ní Bhrollaigh helped co-ordinate the protest. "The facts cannot be ignored and it really is up to the GAA now to do human rights due diligence and I don't think they'll come to any other conclusion other than they'll have to do what the report recommends and to end their relationship with Allianz," she said. Other well-known signatories of the letter include former Dublin footballer and retired transplant surgeon Dr David Hickey, who spoke at the event, saying that the GAA and Croke Park was place that epitomises the soul, culture and historical experience of the Irish people. Neil McManus, Peter Canavan, Tomás Ó Sé, Joe Brolly, Shane McGuigan, Niall Cahalane, Terence 'Sambo' McNaughton, Michael Darragh McAuley, Aoife Ní Chasáide, Jane Adams, Brendan Devenney, Greg McCartan, Sorcha Gormley and Danny Sutcliffe have also signed the petition. The UN report found that as a global insurance company, Allianz invested large sums in shares and bonds implicated in the occupation of Palestinian territories. The Special Rapporteur is an independent expert appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council to follow and report on the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. In a statement, Allianz said: "Our long-standing partnership with the GAA is about supporting Irish sport and communities. "Allianz Ireland is part of a global group, and while the wider group operates internationally across insurance and investment, as a matter of principle, we do not comment on individual customers or business matters. "What we can say is that all Allianz business decisions are guided by strict legal standards and world-leading ESG (environmental, social and governance) principles."
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
GAA ‘preparing to make radical changes to amateur status of gaelic football and hurling' following fan survey
The GAA president Jarlath Burns has had his say on the matter MONEY GAME GAA 'preparing to make radical changes to amateur status of gaelic football and hurling' following fan survey THE GAA are in discussions to make a serious change to the amateur status of hurling and Gaelic football. Per the Irish Independent, the payment of inter-county managers and coaching staff is high on the agenda of the GAA. 2 Jarlath Burns has been very vocal on the underlying issue within the sport 2 The amateur status is one of the core values of the Gaelic Athletic Association The GAA has remained an amateur organisation since it's inception in 1884, relying almost entirely on volunteers. As it stands, all managers, coaches and backroom team members are volunteers but that could soon change. Eleven inter-county football managers have left their role this season, marking four years in-a-row with more than 10 managerial exits. The GAA conducted a widespread survey on their website asking fans if they 'support the introduction of an agreed allowance for senior inter-county team managers or, indeed, whether adherence to a strict expenses model should be enforced.' The results of the survey have yet to be revealed but GAA president Jarlath Burns has voiced his opinion. He said: 'The amateur status is such an important core value of the GAA that it is only right that we carry out a review to ensure that it is fit for purpose in 2025 'I know of no one in the GAA who feels that our amateur status is something to be abolished. "Yet within that, we have a situation where the preparation of inter-county teams is costing more than €40m and placing unsustainable burdens on our volunteer-led county boards. "The time demands on players are also at an all-time high. Establishing the views of our members and players is critically important. 'I urge people to make the most of the opportunity to have their voice heard.' Henry Shefflin among GAA stars at Oasis gigs where Man City tradition made its Croke Park debut The issue has been something long in the minds of the Association with Burns having spoke up on it last year. In 2024 the GAA president had said: "I think there will be a debate on whether we should put managers on contract. "It is nearly a full-time job, the amount of accountability is there. Even when you are winning there can be difficulty listening to criticism."
Irish Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
GAA members call on Association to sever ties with sponsor over Israel links
A lobby group of GAA members representing pro-Palestine groupings have called on the Association to sever ties with Championship sponsor Allianz Ireland. The grouping have taken a stance against the Irish subsidiary of the German based global financial giant, in the wake of a report last month from UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese. Their campaign labelled 'Drop Allianz' was launched outside the Hogan Stand entrance at Croke Park on Wednesday. It features the groupings Gaels against Genocide, who met with GAA President Jarlath Burns in May 2024, Dubs For Palestine, Irish Sport for Palestine and Gaeil ar son Gaza. An open letter was handed in to the GAA calling on the Association to 'demonstrate its commitment to international humanitarian law and promptly cease its relationship with Allianz.' The letter is signed by more than 780 former and current county players and features some huge names from the world of GAA. These include Dr David Hickey, Neil McManus, Peter Canavan, Tómas Ó Sé, Joe Brolly, Shane McGuigan, Niall Cahalane, Terence 'Sambo' McNaughton, Danny Sutcliffe, Michael Darragh Macauley, Aoife Ní Chasáide, Jane Adams, Brendan Devenney and Sorcha Gormley. Allianz Ireland have sponsored the GAA's National Leagues in hurling and football for over 30 years and earlier this year signed a new five year deal, which is set to run until 2030. The Irish subsidiary of the international corporate giant recently signed a new three year deal as one of the GAA's six Championship sponsors, having completed an original three year agreement, which was signed in 2023. It is believed the Championship deal is worth in the region of €1 million per annum to the GAA. Allianz is one of three football Championship rights holders, with three more in hurling. The National Leagues, which covers both codes, deal is understood to be worth in the region of €800,000 per annum. Allianz are also a sponsor of the Camogie Association and primary schools body Cumann na mBunscol as well as Paralympics Ireland and the Olympic Federation of Ireland. They are currently running a campaign entitled 'Stop the Drop,' which they say is aimed at preventing children dropping out of sport. Colm O'Rourke speaking at Croke Park Albanese's report - entitled 'From economy of occupation to economy of genocide' - states that asset management firm, Pimco, owned by another part of the wider Allianz group are a major purchaser of Israeli treasury bonds." The report goes on to point out that the firm holds $7.3 billion in Israeli shares and bonds, with $1 billion purchased since the start of the conflict in Gaza. The report alleges that bonds purchased by a range of international finance companies have helped to prop up Israel's economy and fund their ongoing onslaught in Gaza. Michael Doherty of Gaels against Genocide said: 'As the largest sporting organisation in Ireland, the GAA must show leadership in this time of genocide. 'It cannot continue with a 'business as usual' approach. As a main sponsor of the GAA, Allianz presents itself as socially responsible and ethical.' The letter goes on to call on the GAA to implement a key recommendation of Albanese's report. This is that corporate entities must promptly cease all business activities and terminate relationships directly linked with, contributing to and causing human rights violations and international crimes against the Palestinian people. It is unclear how many Palestinians Israel have killed in Gaza such is the scale of the destruction, with reports ranging from 55,000 to 90,000. The UN estimates that almost 70percent of structures in Gaza, including hospitals and schools, have been damaged or destroyed with almost two million people displaced from their homes, some as many as 10 times. UN reports state that over 250 people have now died from starvation since Israel's blockade on food supplies began with a further 500 killed by the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) sourcing food at food banks The latest phase of the conflict began after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which killed almost 1,200 Israelis. The Albanese report also points the finger at some of the world's largest banks, stating that they stepped in and boosted market confidence by underwriting international and domestic bonds. The GAA were contacted but declined to comment, while a spokesperson for Allianz said: 'Our long-standing partnership with the GAA is about supporting Irish sport and communities. "Allianz Ireland is part of a global group, and while the wider group operates internationally across insurance and investment, as a matter of principle we do not comment on individual customers or business matters. "What we can say is that all Allianz business decisions are guided by strict legal standards and world-leading ESG principles.' Allianz' own website states: 'We regard respect for human rights as a minimum standard for responsible business. 'Allianz is committed to supporting and respecting the protection of international rights ensuring that Allianz is not complicit in human rights abuses.'
