Is Donal Og Cusack Married? Who is Donal Og Cusack's Partner? Is Donal Og Cusack Gay?
by Harini
Updated Jul 25, 2023
Is Donal Og Cusack Married?
Donal Óg Cusack, the former Cork goalkeeper and renowned GAA personality, is not reported to be married. He has been in a long-term relationship with his boyfriend, Nathan Adams. The couple has been together for several years and has been seen attending various events together, including GAA gatherings and Pride celebrations. They tend to keep a low profile as they navigate their successful careers in their respective fields.
Since retiring from playing hurling, Donal Óg has transitioned into sports punditry and has become a respected commentator with RTÉ and The Sunday Game. In addition to his media work, he also reports on GAA for Radio 1's Morning Ireland and writes for the Irish Examiner.
Donal Óg Cusack made headlines in 2009 when he became the first high-profile intercounty GAA player to come out publicly as gay. His bravery in sharing this personal aspect of his life has been inspiring and supportive for countless other young players and has contributed to greater acceptance and inclusivity in the sports community.
It's important to note that the information provided here is based on the data available up until September 2021, and there may have been updates or changes since then. For the most current information, it's best to refer to more recent sources.
Is Donal Og Cusack Gay?
Yes, Donal Óg Cusack is openly gay. He made headlines in 2009 when he became the first high-profile intercounty GAA player to publicly come out as gay. Prior to this, there were very few openly gay athletes in Ireland, especially in the traditionally conservative world of Gaelic games.
In his autobiography "Come What May," Donal Óg courageously shared his personal journey of self-discovery and acceptance. He revealed that he had known about his sexual orientation from a young age, around 13 or 14 years old, and he embraced his identity without inner struggle. His decision to come out was met with widespread support and admiration, not only from the sports community but also from the general public.
Donal Óg's openness about his sexuality was a significant moment for LGBTQ+ representation in Irish sports. It helped break down barriers and contributed to greater acceptance and inclusivity within the GAA and beyond. His bravery in sharing his story has inspired countless other young athletes, showing them that being true to oneself is a source of strength and should never hinder one's achievements in sports or any other aspect of life.
It's worth noting that Donal Óg Cusack's sexuality is just one aspect of his life and does not define him solely as an athlete or a sports pundit. His illustrious hurling career and subsequent success in media have solidified his status as one of Ireland's best-known GAA personalities, admired for both his sporting achievements and his contributions to sports commentary.
Donal Óg Cusack Partner
Donal Óg Cusack's partner is Nathan Adams. Nathan is a former model who has transitioned into a successful businessman and PR manager in Cork. He is involved with several brands, including his own rapidly expanding sweet business and digital marketing agency. In addition, Nathan launched his own teeth-whitening brand in 2021.
Donal Óg and Nathan have been in a long-term relationship and have been seen attending various events together, including GAA gatherings and Pride celebrations. They tend to keep a low profile as a couple, navigating their successful careers with support and respect for each other.
Their relationship became public in 2015 when it was revealed that Donal Óg was dating Nathan, who was a contender for the title of Mr. Ireland. Since then, they have been supportive of each other's endeavors and have attended various social gatherings and weddings together.
Nathan's presence in Donal Óg's life has been a significant aspect of the former Cork goalkeeper's journey in the public eye, especially after Donal Óg's decision to come out as gay in 2009. Nathan's support and encouragement have contributed to the positive impact Donal Óg has had on the LGBTQ+ community in sports and society as a whole.
Who is Dónal Óg Cusack?
Dónal Óg Cusack, born on March 16, 1977, is a highly regarded Irish hurling coach and player who has made significant contributions to the sport. He is associated with the Cork Premier Championship club Cloyne, where he began his hurling career. Joining the club's top adult team at the age of 17 in 1994, he played a pivotal role in helping Cloyne secure the 1997 Cork Intermediate Championship title and promotion. Over the years, he accumulated 85 championship appearances in various grades of hurling for the club. His exceptional skills also earned him a spot in the Imokilly divisional team, with whom he won the 1997 Cork Senior Championship.
At the inter-county level, Dónal Óg Cusack achieved remarkable success with Cork's underage teams. He was part of the victorious Cork minor team that won the All-Ireland Championship in 1995 and later won back-to-back All-Ireland titles with the under-21 team in 1997 and 1998. In addition, he won an All-Ireland Championship with the intermediate team in 1998 before making his debut for the Cork senior team in 1996.
Cusack's skill and dedication led him to become the first-choice goalkeeper for Cork, succeeding Ger Cunningham. He went on to make a combined total of 137 appearances in the National League and Championship games during his impressive inter-county career, which concluded with his last match in 2012. Notably, he was part of Cork's All-Ireland Championship-winning teams in 1999, 2004, and 2005, earning a total of three All-Ireland medals. His collection of accolades includes five Munster Championship medals and a National Hurling League medal.
In recognition of his exceptional performances, Dónal Óg Cusack received two All-Star awards, one in 1999 and another in 2006. He holds the distinction of being the player with the third-highest number of championship appearances for Cork, following only Christy Ring and Ben O'Connor with 58 appearances. Cusack also represented the Munster team in six championship campaigns, winning Railway Cup medals in 2000 and 2005 at the inter-provincial level.
After his playing career, Cusack continued to contribute to the sport through coaching and team management. He served in various roles at club level with Cloyne before joining the Clare senior hurling team as a coach, helping them secure the National League title in 2016. In 2020, he took on the role of manager for the Cork minor hurling team.
Beyond his sporting achievements, Dónal Óg Cusack made headlines in 2009 when he became the first openly gay elite Irish sportsman. His decision to come out was a courageous and pioneering step, contributing to greater awareness and acceptance of LGBTQ+ athletes in Ireland's sporting landscape.
Dónal Óg Cusack Career
Dónal Óg Cusack's illustrious playing career encompassed various levels and teams, leaving a lasting impact on the sport of hurling.
During his secondary schooling at Midleton CBS Secondary School, Cusack displayed his early prowess in hurling. He played for the college's senior hurling team, and in 1994, he featured as the goalkeeper in the Harty Cup final, despite suffering a defeat. Determined to win, he and his teammates repeated the Leaving Cert to secure the title in 1995, triumphing in both the Harty Cup and the All-Ireland final.
At the club level, Cusack joined Cloyne at a young age and showcased his talent across various grades. Initially, he played as a forward but switched to become the team's goalkeeper during the 1996 Cork Intermediate Championship. Under his captaincy and guidance, Cloyne won the Cork Intermediate Championship in 1997, earning promotion and a Cork Intermediate Championship medal for Cusack.
His involvement extended to the Imokilly divisional team, where he made an impact as the goalkeeper. He helped Imokilly win the Cork Senior Championship in 1997, further bolstering his reputation.
In the inter-county scene, Cusack demonstrated his skills in various age groups for Cork. He earned Munster Championship medals with the minor team in 1994 and 1995, including an All-Ireland title in 1995. With the under-21 team, he secured Munster Championship victories in 1996, 1997, and 1998, along with back-to-back All-Ireland titles in 1997 and 1998.
As part of the Cork senior team, Cusack achieved remarkable success, including a Munster Championship win in 1999 and three All-Ireland Championships in 1999, 2004, and 2005. He played a crucial role as the team's goalkeeper and earned accolades such as All-Star awards.
Throughout his career, Cusack also represented Munster in the Railway Cup and won two medals with the team in 2000 and 2005.
In addition to his on-field accomplishments, Cusack was vocal about players' rights and their well-being, advocating for player welfare. Off the field, he became a prominent figure in hurling punditry and coaching, sharing his expertise and insights with the next generation of players.
After an impressive and influential career, Dónal Óg Cusack retired from inter-county hurling in 2013, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest goalkeepers and personalities in the history of Irish hurling.
Is Donal Og Cusack Married: FAQs
No, Donal Óg Cusack is not married. He is in a long-term relationship with his boyfriend, Nathan Adams. The couple has been together for several years and tends to keep a low profile as they navigate their successful careers in their respective fields.
Yes, Donal Óg Cusack is openly gay. He made headlines in 2009 when he became the first high-profile intercounty GAA player to publicly come out as gay. His decision to come out was met with widespread support and admiration, and he has been an inspiring figure for LGBTQ+ representation in Irish sports.
Dónal Óg Cusack is a highly regarded Irish hurling coach and former player. He had a successful playing career, earning several accolades, including All-Ireland Championships and Munster Championship medals. He is also known for being the first openly gay elite Irish sportsman in 2009.
Dónal Óg Cusack's partner is Nathan Adams. Nathan is a former model turned successful businessman and PR manager in Cork, with various business ventures, including a sweet business and a digital marketing agency. The couple has been in a long-term relationship and has been seen attending various events together.
After retiring from playing hurling, Dónal Óg Cusack transitioned into sports punditry and media work. He became a respected commentator with RTÉ and The Sunday Game, reporting on GAA for Radio 1's Morning Ireland and writing for the Irish Examiner. He also contributed to team management and coaching at club and county levels, making significant contributions to the development of young players.