Fearless Future Celebrating LGBT+ trailblazers and allies in Irish sport

In a bold and powerful first for Cork Pride, a groundbreaking event is set to shine a national spotlight on LGBTQ+ visibility in Irish sport. Taking place at – and sponsored by – The River Lee Hotel, this panel discussion brings together some of the most high-profile and courageous voices in sport to explore the realities of being LGBTQ+ on and off the field.

This first-ever LGBTQ+ sports event as part of Cork Pride is designed to be an honest, energising, and inclusive evening — offering a platform for personal stories, challenges, victories, and the vital role of allies in creating welcoming teams and communities. Former Irish rugby player, Munster and UL coach Fiona Hayes will MC the event with both humour and empathy.

From coming out while playing at the top level, to calling out homophobia, advocating for change, and paving the way for future generations — these stories represent a vital chapter in Irish sporting history.

Guest panellists include:

Fiona Hayes (MC)

Ireland and Munster player, turned coach, and now pundit with Off The Ball and Virgin Media, Hayes will lend her insights across multiple roles, and MC this event with humour and sensitivity.

David Gough
A top Gaelic football referee, Gough was the first openly gay official to referee an All-Ireland final. He’s a powerful advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the GAA, using his platform to promote visibility and challenge homophobia in sport.

Valerie Mulcahy
Mulcahy is a ten-time All-Ireland ladies football champion and six-time All-Star who helped launch the Women’s Gaelic Players’ Association and became the GAA’s first openly gay female player in 2015. Her advocacy in LGBTQ+ rights has been instrumental. 

Kevin Penrose
Penrose is a Gaelic footballer from Tyrone who made headlines in early 2025 as one of the few openly gay active GAA players in Ireland, brilliantly recounting his story on BBC Sport. Known online as @wildirishwanderer, he documents his adventures across Ireland.

Lindsay Peat
Peat has represented her country at the highest levels in rugby and basketball, as well as Dublin in Gaelic football. She is a vocal LGBTQ+ ambassador has made her a powerful role model for visibility and equality in Irish sport.

Eoghan Cormican
Galway native Cormican is one of Ireland’s top sports journalists (Irish Examiner) renowned for his insightful storytelling. One of the first openly gay sports journalists in Ireland, he is paving the way for others to follow, to be their true selves in the world of sport.

This event is open to anyone in the sporting community — whether you’re an athlete considering coming out, a coach working with young people, a teammate striving to be a better ally, or a club administrator pushing for progress – however booking is essential on Eventmaster.ie.