Referee David Goff said it was “a little sad” that there weren’t any gay male players openly in the county GAA yet, and that it was “very unreasonable, but very realistic” about coming out. There is a fear, “he added.
It’s the fear of exclusion, the fear of body image, the shower with other men, and what they perceive, which has no consequences, “Gough said. “Everything goes well and continues as usual.”
Gough appeared as gay in 2011, hoping that this decision might encourage gay players to follow suit. “I thought it would open the door to other people, and it doesn’t seem to be, or they may just have taken the opportunity. They are there, it. There is no doubt about it. “
But on the eve of the Dublin Pride Parade, Meath natives are hoping for change. “Visibility is the key to all this, and it is to be happy not only as a member of the LGBT community, but also in the world of sports and to represent both without conflict. It is right for young people. Sounds like a message-the sport is the right place for them, regardless of their sexuality. “
Goff has never encountered homosexual abuse on the pitch as “having such respect” between him and the players. Misplaced.
“As Nick says, and as I say, when both of us came out, there was only a lot of support from the dressing room, and it was only a few years later another player in my club came out. You can see the knock-on effect from the first one that came out in Leinster Rugby, and now from the second one that came out. It’s actually quite accepted in the changing room. It indicates that you are in the same place. “
Goff wants to attend tomorrow’s pride parade, but instead goes home and saves energy for Sunday’s mission. He will be in charge of the All Irish Quarterfinals between Mayo and Kelly.
As a referee-as with the player-this is where he wants to be.
“I’m very nervous, but being nervous to me means I want to do a good job-it’s important,” he says. “I want to do as much as I can. My referee team is there and I want to do my best for the All Ireland Final on July 24th. That is my ultimate goal.”
In a week like this, Goff spends a lot of time remembering the player’s face and studying the rulebook to make sure things are done correctly, but one of the things he doesn’t do is these days. Listen to what the experts are saying about the referee’s decision.
“I haven’t seen Sunday game So it won’t reach my radar, “he says. “Personally, I turn off the volume, watch the game the next day, and evaluate it myself. RTÉ experts, players, and panelists don’t come from the same knowledge of rules as I do, so it’s irrelevant. So, in my book, their opinions aren’t really important. “
Regarding the differences in referee style, Gough believes there is a misunderstanding about the people who played the game.
“The game will play because the player plays within the rules. If there is a free, the free is due to the foul and the foul is due to the player, so stop looking at the referee to the player. is needed.
“When it comes to rules, I’m very black and white. I’m very conscious of being open-minded, creating equal playing conditions for players, and treating all players with the same courtesy or respect. “
David Gough spoke as part of SuperValu’s #CommunityIncludesEveryone campaign. This campaign calls on GAA communities across the country to do what they can to make them more diverse and inclusive.
