Team Cork On The Pitch

Paddy Hanrahan

“I’ve been playing football since I was young enough to walk. I played schoolboy’s football for years but I stopped in my late teens and lost touch with it for quite a few years. Finding the Cork Rebels was an ideal pathway back into the sport. In some ways, I fell in love with football all over again and I’m more involved now than ever.

Cork Rebels FC is a football team for the LGBT community in Cork. Founded in 2016, we have grown enormously since then and hopefully will continue to do so. The aim is football for all and to create a positive, open outlet for people to play sport, but also make friends and become more involved in the LGBT community.

I love playing as part of a team. With an individual sport, I think you lose the camaraderie, the banter, the shared sense of experience that football has within it. Football also rewards hard work and effort, as much as talent. On any given day, one team can always beat the other and that suits my competitive nature!

I am learning a new position (goalkeeper), so it’s a change to what I have been used to. It’s a new set of skills, a different set of challenges. I’ve tried to embrace it and bring my abilities to it, while understanding that I have a long way to go and a lot to master.

The chance to play against teams from different countries at the Gay Games should be really interesting. I think every young person interested in sport has had dreams of representing their county or country at whatever level they can. It’s something I thought had passed me by, so stepping out on the pitch in Paris as a Corkman and Irishman will be very special.”

Liam Keating

“I got involved in Football at a young age. I would have played football with the local football team (Leeds AFC). At first I was shy to play but I found out I had an aptitude for defending so I started to enjoy it a bit more. When I heard about the Cork Rebels FC, I thought “wait, there’s a gay football team in Cork? Sign me up!’ I was so surprised and delighted to hear that I could share my football interests with other gay men.

There are a lot of people out there who think that LGBT people are shunned in sports, and in some regards they’re right. Being called a faggot or a dyke on a pitch and watching officials do nothing about it is horrible, but that doesn’t mean we should give up on the sports we love. We, as a community, will not step off the field, so homophobia will have to.

Joining the Rebels is the best thing I have done in my life, I’ve made great friends, I’m travelling to places I’d never been before and as secretary of the team, I’m part of something that’s having a positive effect on other gay men.

I’ve never been to the Gay Games before. I’m really looking forward to seeing Paris for the first time, but most of all I can’t wait to compete against other teams.

Representing Cork and Ireland is a great honour. My father represented both Cork and Ireland in GAA football and soccer. He, funnily enough, earned his first international cap in Paris in the 70s. I’m sure he’ll be proud that I’m following in his footsteps.”

David Moehan

“As a competitive person, I think it can be great to invest your time into something that can have significant rewards, especially with a successful team. The entire team has one objective in mind and every player will aim to achieve that goal. Race, gender and religion are totally taken out of the equation and you’re viewed based on your skills and nothing else.

I’ve been playing soccer since I was fairly young – from playing after school most days, every day during the summer, and playing with a club at least twice a week, even to this day. Also when I was younger I’d watch every football game that came on TV religiously and attempt to replicate new tactics and skills that I’d see.

Being an Arsenal fan eventually made me lose interest in watching games, as it was too heartbreaking to see them lose games that would be totally winnable.

I think sports are a huge platform for equality. Sport gives the chance to show and prove that LGBT people are as athletic and skilled as their heterosexual counterparts. In advance of the Gay Games, I’m training with the team at least twice a week. If there’s time in between all of that I head to the gym and work on endurance and strength. The Gay Games tournament is on for nine days consecutively, so it’s a must.

I only discovered that the Gay Games existed when applying to participate in them. I was kind of overwhelmed that there was a major event created to cater to gay athletes and that the event has been going strong since the ’80s. Sometimes when talking or thinking about it, it’s all a bit surreal – ‘Yeah, I’m representing Ireland’. It sometimes freaks me out! It’s a huge deal to me and a great honour.”

Niall Clohessy

“Sports are a key way in helping anyone with their fitness and mental wellbeing. They are something everyone should think about getting involved in.

I got involved in my sport at an early age – I’ve always had an interest in soccer and I love playing. Seven-a-side soccer is not only competitive but a good way to meet new people and stay active, and that’s why it suits me.

I train with the Cork Rebels twice a week. The team hosts loads of events, such as games nights and football events – it’s great for any age person in the LGBT community. I also go to the gym and run in my free time, to prepare for the Gay Games.

I’ve never been to the Gay Games before. I think it will be wonderful to see how big the LGBT community is all around the world, and for so many people to be in the one spot. Representing my country and Cork in the games will be amazing. Hopefully, our team will do Ireland proud!”

Mary Hennessy

Social Soccer

“When I was younger, I wanted to be a professional soccer player.

I have four brothers who were football mad, so I had no choice really. Soccer was a great way for a shy person to become active and social at the same time; when I play soccer it makes my day a happier one.

I play soccer when I can and as it is a social event I do not partake in formal training. I keep active with walking, tennis and yoga too. I’m also a part of the LINC badminton group.

I am looking forward to meeting people from all over the world at the Gay Games, watching sporting events and spending some time in Paris. It seems that it will be a celebration of the richness and diversity of our community and that is always a lovely thing to be part of.

Sport is an effective avenue for creating that acceptance and involvement within a community such as ours, allowing people to engage in something which is good for the mind and body, in a community-based atmosphere.”