Updated 3.00pm.
DUBLIN FOOTBALLER GER Brennan says he was surprised at how much media attention was given to his All-Ireland club football final speech.
Brennan, who captained St Vincent’s in their win over Castlebar Mitchels last month, was widely praised after thanking both girlfriends and boyfriends of the players for their support after the final whistle at Croke Park.
And while he strongly believes that the GAA and sport in general must embrace diversity by accepting homosexual players, he doesn’t see what the fuss is about.
“I have been asked subsequently about what I said following the game and I was quite surprised to hear how much media attention it had picked up because no forethought really went into it,” he told Kathryn Thomas on this morning’s John Murray Show on RTÉ Radio 1.
“Going into a final, and maybe other captains of teams will relate to this, I think it’s bad luck to be planning speeches. When I was speaking I was speaking quite openly and generally and that’s the type of person that I am.
As a member of the GAA and of the Gaelic Players Association, it’s all about diversity and inclusiveness. If a person, man or woman, is playing for their club or county I don’t see what their sexuality has to do with anything. It’s about a person being happy and true to themselves.
“I’ve been given plaudits but I don’t really like taking plaudits for something I would say quite naturally. I don’t see what the fuss is about.
“I am someone who is very open to different people’s sexuality and it doesn’t bother me at all so it’s on that premise that I was quite surprised to hear how much media attention it did gather.”
Watch the speech below:
Originally published 1.33pm.
