Misneach: Bród sa Spórt is a new TG4 documentary that explores why gay men in Irish sports struggle to come out. The programme is presented by referee David Gough. By sharing his experience as an openly gay man within the GAA, Gough also examines how diversity and inclusion are represented in Irish men’s sport today. The documentary also looks at LGBTQ+ representation within sports in general. 

One of the key aspects of Misneach: Bród sa Spórt is showcasing how, even though Irish society has come a long way in giving visibility to queer people in sports, being LGBTQ+ is still a taboo subject in specific situations, especially amongst elite, male athletes.

Through the documentary, Gough travels to meet two local sports clubs, Malahide RFC and Na Gaeil Óga. There, he speaks to distinguished male athletes in the Irish sporting world such as Darren Morrin, Matt Reynolds and Mícheál Ó Nualláin.

Other interviewees include athletes Matthew Alborough and David Morrin from Malahide RFC, and Eoin P. Ó Murchú, James Knoblauch and Seán Grennan, from Na Gaeil Óga. 

David also reaches out to numerous high-profile players from different sports organisations, and it becomes apparent that this is still an unfavourable topic of conversation for some, proving how being LGBTQ+ is still associated with exclusion and stigma that needs to be tackled.

To address the situation, all-Ireland champion Valerie Mulcahy and Dublin camogie captain Aisling Maher meet with David to discuss how essential role models are in easing certain stigmas. Women’s sports have a reputation for being much more inclusive of diverse sexualities, with many of the country’s greatest female athletes being members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Misneach: Bród sa Spórt is produced by Midas Production and TG4, and airs on March 26 on TG4 at 9:30pm. Save the date to enjoy this promising documentary, which advocates for a better future for gay and bisexual men in sports.