Ger Brennan's ground-breaking reference to boyfriends during his celebratory speech following St Vincent's All-Ireland club success wasn't pre-planned.

Following the Marino club's victory over Castlebar Mitchels on St Patrick's Day, the All-Ireland winning Dublin centre-back acknowledged the support of girlfriends and boyfriends throughout the season.

His all-inclusive speech attracted widespread praise from equality groups but, speaking to The John Murray Show this morning, the Dublin star revealed: he was surprised by the reaction his speech got: "There was no forethought put into it.

"Going into a final I think it is bad luck to prepare speeches, so when I was speaking I was speaking openly and genuinely.

"I'm someone who is open to people's sexualities and it doesn't bother me at all. I was surprised to hear how much media attention it did get."

Brennan added that sexuality shouldn't be an issue when it comes to sport and believes that attitudes are changing in Ireland.

"As a member of GAA and the GPA, it's all bout diversity, it's all about inclusiveness.

"If it's a man or woman involved in the GAA, I don't see how their sexuality has anything to do with it.

"It's about a person being happy and true to themselves.

"The Cusack brothers, Donal Og and Conor, they would have stood up, they were true and honest with themselves.

"True freedom can only come with being honest to oneself and those close to you.

"I suppose it does reflect on Irish society as a whole, whereby a couple of years ago to see a woman and a woman, or a man and a man, going hand in hand down the street would turn many heads.

He added: "Who cares (about someone's sexuality) if somebody is trying their best as a sportsperson to represent their clubs, their county or school?

"The furore probably comes down to Irish society's understanding of homosexual activity. It is something that is changing slowly." Tweet

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