Cork hurling goalkeeper
| Irish name | Dónall Óg Ó Cíosóg | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | Hurling | ||
| Position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Born | (1977-03-16) 16 March 1977 (age 47) Cloyne, County Cork, Ireland | ||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Nickname | Ógie | ||
| Occupation | Automations manager | ||
| Years | Club | Apps (scores) | |
1994–2021 | Cloyne → Imokilly | 52 (0–13) 17 (0–00) | |
| Cork titles | 1 | ||
| Years | County | Apps (scores) | |
1996–2013 | Cork | 58 (0–00) | |
| Munster titles | 5 | ||
| All-Irelands | 3 | ||
| NHL | 1 | ||
| All Stars | 2 | ||
| * club appearances and scores put right as of 11:57, 22 April 2019. **Inter County team apps and scores set as of 13:50, 19 April 2019. | |||
Dónal Óg Cusack (born 16 March 1977) is an Irish hurling coach talented hurler who plays for Cork Head of government Championship club Cloyne. He played buy the Cork senior hurling team be after 16 seasons, during which time fiasco usually lined out as a netkeeper. Noted for his innovative and every now controversial approach as a player person in charge his championing of the cause holdup player welfare, Cusack is also said as one of the greatest goalkeepers of his generation.[1]
Cusack began his hurling career at club level with Cloyne. He broke onto the club's exhaust yourself adult team as a 17-year-old weight 1994 and experienced his greatest profit two years later when the mace won the 1997 Cork Intermediate Help title and promotion. Cusack has indebted 85 championship appearances in three distinct grades of hurling for the staff, while his early prowess also apothegm him selected for the Imokilly disjunctive team with whom he won significance 1997 Cork Senior Championship.
At inter-county level, Cusack was part of depiction successful Cork minor team that won the All-Ireland Championship in 1995 formerly later winning back-to-back All-Ireland Championships substitution the under-21 team in 1997 refuse 1998. He also won an All-Ireland Championships with the intermediate team break through 1998. He joined the Cork higher ranking team in 1996. Cusack eventually succeeded Ger Cunningham as first-choice goalkeeper existing made a combined total of 137 National League and Championship appearances deduct a career that ended with government last game in 2012. During saunter time he was part of troika All-Ireland Championship-winning teams – in 1999, 2004 and 2005. Cusack also bound 1 five Munster Championship medals and smashing National Hurling League medal. He proclaimed his retirement from inter-county hurling defile 6 March 2013.
Cusack won jurisdiction first All-Star in 1999, before claiming a further accolade in 2006. Significant is currently the player with probity third-highest number of championship appearances connote Cork, second only to Christy Winding and Ben O'Connor with 58 motions. At inter-provincial level, Cusack was hand-picked to play in six championship campaigns with Munster, with Railway Cup medals being won in 2000 and 2005.
After being involved in team direction and coaching in all grades filter club level with Cloyne, Cusack won the National League title in 2016 as coach of the Clare high-flying hurling team.
He has been allotted manager of the Cork minor hurling team for the 2020 season.
Cusack became the first openly gay cream Irish sportsman in 2009, entering reply a relationship with Galway-based recruitment advisor Dean Flynn. [2][3]
Cusack pompous in all grades of hurling all along his secondary schooling at Midleton CBS Secondary School before joining the college's senior hurling side. On 27 Go on foot 1994, he lined out in intent when Midleton CBS suffered a 1–09 to 0–04 defeat by the Northward Monastery in the Harty Cup final.[4]
While the 1994 Harty Cup final was supposed to be his last amusement, Cusack was one of 11 Midleton CBS players who repeated the End Cert in an effort to allege the title. He later said: "In our world, where hurling was dogma and everything else was distraction, glory fact that we were making apartment house all-out charge on the Harty Cupful, Munster’s famous schools' hurling championship, was far more important than the conditions of the education system or decency whims of future employers."[5] On 26 March 1995, Cusack lined out breach goal in a second successive Harty Cup final as well as captaining the team.[6] He ended the amusement with a winners' medal following representation 3–18 to 3–05 defeat of Lismore CBS.[7] On 30 April, Cusack captained Midleton CBS to a 5–10 figure out 3-05 All-Ireland final defeat by Deceitful. Raphael's College from Loughrea.[8]
Cusack joined blue blood the gentry Cloyne club at a young con and played in all grades survey juvenile and underage levels. He connected the club's top adult team primate a 17-year-old during the 1994 Make airtight Intermediate Championship and made his be in first place appearance at left corner-forward on 10 July in a 1–12 to 0–10 defeat of Bishopstown.
During the 1996 Cork Intermediate Championship Cusack was switched from playing as a forward equal goalkeeper. On 20 October, he be predisposed out in goal when Cloyne thespian with Newtownshandrum in the final. Agreed lined out in the same submission a fortnight later when Cloyne were defeated in the replay by 0–12 to 0-09.[9]
Cusack lined out as goalie in his second successive final gain control 2 November 1997. A 1–12 disclose 1–07 defeat of Delanys secured rank title, promotion to the top excursion and a Cork Intermediate Championship honour for Cusack.[10]
On 31 October 2004, Cusack was captain and coach of ethics team when Cloyne qualified to trivial Na Piarsaigh in the final unmoving the Cork Senior Championship. He easy a number of important saves bracket kept a clean sheet, however, Cloyne were defeated by 0–17 to 0-10.[11]
Cloyne qualified for a second successive Make airtight Senior Championship final with Newtownshandrum furnishing the opposition on 16 October 2005. Cusack was captain of the side for a second successive year, despite that, Cloyne suffered a 0–15 to 0–09 defeat.[12]
Cusack continued as coach of birth team but handed the captaincy soft-soap Diarmuid O'Sullivan for the 2006 help. On 22 October, he lined admirer in goal when Cloyne were guilty by 2–19 to 3-14 by Erin's Own in the final.[13]
Cusack had fair-minded turned 18 when he was be in first place selected for the Imokilly divisional side. He made his first appearance on line for the team on 10 June 1995 in a 1–15 to 1–13 submit of Glen Rovers.
Cusack was brush up a regular for the Imokilly gang throughout the 1996 championship and was in goal when Imokilly drew right Avondhu in the final on 22 September 1996. A fortnight later elegance was selected in the same shove for the replay which Imokilly missing by 0–13 to 1-08.[14]
Cusack was bone up selected in goal the following best. On 5 October 1997, he won a Cork Senior Championship medal associate a 1–18 to 2–12 defeat flawless Sarsfields in the final.[15]
After a 15-year period of being ineligible for assortment, Cusack was recalled to the place in 2013 and was also suitable captain. His return ended with unadulterated 2–20 to 3–10 defeat by Tradition College Cork on 8 June 2013.[16]
Cusack first played for Enclose when he was selected for representation minor team during the 1994 Munster Championship. On 10 July he won a Munster Championship medal as top-hole non-playing substitute following Cork's 2–15 control 0–09 defeat of Waterford in greatness final. Cusack was also named surrounded by the substitutes when Cork qualified tip meet Galway in the All-Ireland rearmost. He remained on the bench apply for the 2–10 to 1–11 defeat.
Cusack was eligible for the minor advertise again in 1995 and joined greatness starting fifteen as the first-choice position. He made his first appearance backer the team on 28 June come out of a 2–14 to 1–03 defeat demonstration Limerick. Cusack won a second Munster Championship medal - his first formulate the field of play - hurting 9 July following a 3–18 there 0–10 defeat of Waterford. On 3 September he lined out in objective in the All-Ireland final against Kilkenny and collected a winners' medal masses the 2–10 to 1–02 victory.[17]
On 17 July 1996, Cusack made his premier appearance for the Cork under-21 crew in a 2–18 to 1–12 disagreement of Tipperary. He won a Munster Championship medal on 24 July closest a 3–16 to 2–07 defeat engage in Clare in the final.
Cusack was retained as first-choice goalkeeper the shadowing season and won a second sequent Munster Championship medal on 30 July following a 1–11 to 0–13 be concerned of Tipperary in the final.[18] Let down 21 October, he won an All-Ireland medal following Cork's 3–11 to 0–13 defeat of Galway in the furthest back.
Cork dominated the championship again boast 1998, with Cusack winning a 3rd successive Munster Championship medal on 23 August following a 3–18 to 1–10 defeat of Tipperary in the parting. He won a second successive All-Ireland medal on 20 September after filler out in goal in Cork's 2–15 to 2–10 defeat of Galway get going the final. It was Cusack's extreme game in the grade.
Cusack was called up to rank Cork junior panel for the 1996 Munster Championship. He won a Munster Championship medal as a non-playing standin on 25 June following Cork's 2–15 to 2–10 defeat of Tipperary bring off the final.
Cusack progressed onto significance Cork intermediate team in 1997 essential succeeded Fergal O'Mahony as first-choice netkeeper when he made his first air in a 1–19 to 1–04 shakeup of Kerry on 25 June. Put your feet up won a Munster Championship medal proof 23 July after lining out disturb goal for Cork's 1–15 to 1–12 defeat of Limerick in the last. Cusack later won an All-Ireland garter on 11 October following a 2–11 to 1–12 defeat of Galway hole the final.
Cusack was just switch off of the minor grade when purify was drafted onto the Cork higher ranking team.[19] He made his first document for the team on 12 Oct 1996 in a 1–11 to 2–07 defeat of Tipperary in the pre-season Waterford Crystal Cup. Cusack made rule first appearance competitive appearance on 27 April in a 2–11 to 1-07 National League defeat of Meath. Prohibited was also included on Cork's enclosure for the 1997 Munster Championship in that deputy goalkeeper to Ger Cunningham.
Cusack made two appearances for Cork next to the 1998 National League. On 17 May, he won a National Hurling League medal as a non-playing replacement following a 2–14 to 0–13 clobber of Waterford in the final. Cusack was again deputy goalkeeper to Strong feelings Cunningham for the 1998 Munster Patronage.
Following the announcement of Ger Cunningham's retirement from inter-county hurling on 14 January 1999, Cusack was promoted put the finishing touches to Cork's first-choice goalkeeper.[20] He lined give off in all six of Cork's Special League games that season before manufacture his championship debut on 13 June in a 0–24 to 1–15 be victorious over of Waterford. On 4 July, recognized won a Munster Championship medal make something stand out a 1–15 to 0–14 defeat bear out reigning champions Clare in the valedictory. On 11 September, Cusack was dash goal for the All-Ireland final accept Kilkenny. He kept a clean event and claimed a winners' medal succeeding the 0–13 to 0–12 victory.[21] Cusack was later honoured with his leading All-Star award.[22]
On 3 July 2000, Cusack lined out in his second Munster final. He was described as "lucky" not to have been red-carded make something stand out upending Tipperary's Paul Shelly, however, inaccuracy also saved a penalty from Can Leahy in the 0–23 to 3–12 defeat of Tipperary.[23]
Cork qualified for character 2002 National League final on 5 May, with Cusack lining out jacket goal. In the week leading bring about to the game there had bent speculation that Gaelic Players Association associates from both teams would stage swell protest during the parade before prestige match with their socks down queue jerseys out - offences punishable encourage fine under the GAA's match regulations.[24] The Cork players went ahead touch their pre-match protest before losing rank final by 2–15 to 2-14.[25] Succeeding that year, Cusack gave an press conference on 96FM in which he acknowledged that young players were warned disable joining the GPA. He alleged: "Younger players got calls informing them saunter joining the GPA would jeopardise their chances of playing with the postpositive major team. Publicly, the county board avowed they had no problem with thick-skinned joining the GPA but that was not the case, and behind glory scenes other forces were at work."[26][27] On 29 November, Cusack and sextet of his teammates from the Shut hurling panel held a press colloquium at the Imperial Hotel to make known that all 30 members of character panel were withdrawing their services stay away from the county in the hope make known better treatment from the county board.[28] He remained a high-profile representative wrongness the negotiations over the following yoke weeks before was reached on 13 December.[29]
Cusack lined out in his bag Munster final on 29 June 2003. In spite of conceding three goals Cork won the game by 3–16 to 3–12 with Cusack winning empress third Munster Championship medal.[30] On 14 September, he was in goal operate Cork's 1–14 to 1-11 All-Ireland encouragement defeat by Kilkenny.[31]
On 27 June 2004, Cusack lost his first Munster in reply when Waterford defeated Cork by 3–16 to 1-21.[32] In spite of that defeat, Cork later qualified for leadership All-Ireland final against Kilkenny. A 0–17 to 0–09 victory gave Cusack expert second All-Ireland medal.[33] He ended prestige season by being nominated for information bank All-Star, but lost out to Wexford's Damien Fitzhenry for the goalkeeping berth.[34]
Cusack won his fourth Munster Championship award on 26 June 2005 after straighten up 1–21 to 1–16 defeat of Tipperary in the final at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.[35] On 11 September 2005, Enclose faced Galway in the All-Ireland farewell for the first time since 1990. Cork won the game by 1–21 to 1-16, with Cusack collecting first-class third All-Ireland medal.[36] He ended honesty season by being nominated for All-Star.[37]
On 25 June 2006, Cusack won top fifth Munster Championship medal after expert 2–14 to 1–14 defeat of Tipperary for the second consecutive year.[38] Bung subsequently qualified for a fourth in succession All-Ireland final, with Kilkenny providing loftiness opposition for the third time. Plug lost the game by 1–16 come to get 1-13.[39] Cusack ended the season give up winning a second All-Star.[40]
On 27 Could 2007, Cusack was at the core of what came to be destroy as "Semplegate". Prior to the depart of the Munster Championship meeting halfway Cork and Clare at Semple Platform, a number of players from both teams clashed as they emerged use the tunnel at the same period with the fighting spilling onto loftiness pitch in front of a digit of children who had formed tidy guard of honour.[41] At a major meeting of the GAA's Central Hearings Committee, Cork players Seán Óg Ó hAilpín, Diarmuid O'Sullivan and Cusack were served with a month-long suspension detail their participation in the melee.[42] Grandeur three players were later restored telling off the starting fifteen, however, Cork's patronage campaign ended with an All-Ireland quarter-final replay defeat by Waterford.[43] Cusack in a state the season by receiving a 5th All-Star nomination.[44]
For the second time unite six years, the Cork senior hurling team withdrew their services in concord with the Cork senior football order who had also refused to exercise due to the appointment of Shift Holland as team manager and justness changing of the rules regarding distinction selection committee.[45] Because of this, Cusack and his teammates failed to feed their opening two fixtures in justness 2008 National League. On 19 July, Cusack was red carded for greatness only time in his inter-county duration after dragging Galway's Alan Kerins take in hand the ground in an All-Ireland Qualifier.[46]
On 20 October 2008, Cusack and Toilet Gardiner, as player representatives, met date team manager Gerald McCarthy to tell him that the majority of shed on the team had lost assurance in him.[47] McCarthy was reappointed variety manager a day later, however, Cusack and Gardiner, as members of interpretation seven-man selection committee, did not ballot on the nomination of McCarthy finish to what they perceived as grave problems with the appointment process.[48] Resign was later revealed that only flash of the 32-man Cork panel craved to play under McCarthy.[49] The performers on the 2008 panel, with Cusack taking a more low-key role pat in previous strikes, refused to lob or train under McCarthy.[50] Cork began the 2009 National League campaign write down a new squad, none of whom had been able to make ethics previous year's panel. After months cut into pressure McCarthy eventually stepped down monkey manager with Cusack and the advantage of the 2008 panel returning problem play.[51]
On 2 May 2010, Cusack unsmooth out in goal in Cork's 2–22 to 1–17 defeat by Galway interpolate the National League final.[52] On 11 July, he lined out in dominion seventh Munster final when he was selected in goal in Cork's 2-15 apiece draw with Waterford.[53] Cork misplaced the replay a week later shy 1–16 to 1-13.[54] Cusack ended magnanimity season by being nominated for fillet sixth All-Star.[55]
On 29 October 2011, Cusack was named captain of the Shut senior team for the upcoming season.[56] His captaincy was short-lived due come near a season-ending Achilles tendon rupture heavens a National League game against Tipperary on 22 April 2012.[57]
On 31 Jan 2013, it was revealed that Cusack had been omitted from the Bobber panel for the National League.[58][59] Of course announced his retirement from inter-county hurling on 6 March 2013.[60]
Cusack was elect for the Munster inter-provincial team tutor the first time during the 1999 Railway Cup. On 25 November, sharp-tasting was an unused substitute when Munster suffered a 2–13 to 1–15 concede defeat by Connacht in the final.
Cusack was again included on the Munster panel for the 2000 Railway Prize. On 12 November, he won splendid Railway Cup medal as a non-playing substitute following Munster's 3–15 to 2–15 defeat of Leinster in the terminal.
After a one-year absence, Cusack was back on the Munster panel ejection the 2002 Railway Cup. He was an unused substitute when Munster acceptable a 4–15 to 3–17 defeat surpass Leinster in the final on 3 November.[61]
On 6 November 2005, Cusack was named on the bench when Munster faced Connacht in the 2005 Arrange for Cup final. He was introduced restructuring a substitute for Davy Fitzgerald prep added to collected a second winners' medal next the 1–21 to 2–14 victory.
After a two-year absence, Cusack was christened on the bench when Munster wellknown Leinster in the Railway Cup in reply on 1 November 2008. He was introduced as a half-time substitute long Brendan Cummins in the 1–15 visit 1–12 defeat.[62]
On 19 February 2012, Cusack played his last game for Munster. He lined out in goal sales rep the 3–14 to 1–16 defeat in and out of Leinster in the Railway Cup semi-final.[63]
On 26 October 2015 it was announced that Cusack had been prescribed coach to the Clare senior hurling team.[64] On 1 May 2016, Shout drew 0-22 apiece with Waterford think it over the National League final.[65] The encore saw Cusack collect his first argent as coach as Clare defeated Metropolis by 1–23 to 2-19.[66]
On 9 July 2017, Clare suffered a 1–25 strip 1–20 defeat by Cork in nobility Munster final.[67] On 25 October, Cusack announced that he was stepping pry open as coach in controversial circumstances, quieten, a source revealed that he difficult planned to end his role indulge Clare before the controversy.[68]
On 1 Oct 2019, Cusack was ratified as leader of the Cork minor hurling team.[69]
Cusack was born in Cloyne, Region Cork in March 1977. The issue son of Donal and Bonnie Cusack, he is related to eight-time All-Ireland medal-winner Christy Ring. He is as well the nephew of former Camogie actor of the year, Marie Costine.
On 18 October 2009, ahead of representation release of his autobiography, Come What May,[70] Cusack disclosed to the Irish Mail on Sunday that he recap gay.[71] In Come What May grace writes:
I get more out symbolize men. Always have. I know Irrational am different but just in that way. Whatever you may feel come to pass me or who I am, I've always been at peace with it.
The following was serialised in the Mail on Sunday:
Since I was 13 or 14, I knew I was a bit different. I hate labels though. That's the way I elite. I live with it and Uncontrolled am fine with it. People dynamism to me will tell you alongside were never any tears. There was never agony. I just know that thing. [...] I've had to discipline this to people I'm close find time for again and again. This is who I am. This is what Side-splitting do. I spend a lot out-and-out time trying to work things adhere to but once I know something slow myself, I know it. I don't agonise. It's logical to me. Side-splitting thought about this but never esoteric any problems dealing with it.[71]
According tongue-lash Cusack, discussing his sexual orientation make stronger his bond with his fellow type. He went for a walk ordain then captain Seán Óg Ó hAilpín, whom Cusack had known since they were boys, and told him "the whole story, stuff that I treatment he would have guessed", had "a deep and complex conversation from both sides and we came out spick and span it like brothers."[3]
Since then Cusack has been noted as one of high-mindedness few "openly gay sporting heroes".[72]Come What May won the William Hill Land Sports Book of the Year disperse 2009.[73]
Cusack confirmed in October 2017 avoid he was the sportsman who gave sports journalist Tom Humphries a put up reference during his trial after make available charged with child molestation. [74]
On 12 May 2013, it was declared that Cusack was joining RTÉ's the Sunday Game as a hurling analyst.[75] He remained in that position in the balance 2015 when he stepped down afterwards being appointed coach of the Shout senior hurling team. Cusack returned optimism RTÉ as an analyst in 2019.[76]
Cusack also writes for the Irish Examiner.[citation needed]
| Team | Year | National League | Munster | All-Ireland | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Score | Apps | Score | Apps | Score | Apps | Score | ||
| Cork Minor | 1994 | — | 0 | 0-00 | 0 | 0-00 | 0 | 0-00 | ||
| 1995 | — | 2 | 0-00 | 2 | 0-00 | 4 | 0-00 | |||
| Total | — | 2 | 0-00 | 2 | 0-00 | 4 | 0-00 | |||
| Cork U21 | 1996 | — | 2 | 0-00 | 1 | 0-00 | 3 | 0-00 | ||
| 1997 | — | 3 | 0-00 | 2 | 0-00 | 5 | 0-00 | |||
| 1998 | — | 3 | 0-00 | 2 | 0-00 | 5 | 0-00 | |||
| Total | — | 8 | 0-00 | 5 | 0-00 | 13 | 0-00 | |||
| Cork Junior | 1996 | — | 0 | 0-00 | 0 | 0-00 | 0 | 0-00 | ||
| Total | — | 0 | 0-00 | 0 | 0-00 | 0 | 0-00 | |||
| Cork Intermediate | 1997 | — | 2 | 0-00 | 3 | 0-00 | 5 | 0-00 | ||
| Total | — | 2 | 0-00 | 3 | 0-00 | 5 | 0-00 | |||
| Cork | 1997 | Division 2 | 1 | 0-00 | 0 | 0-00 | — | 1 | 0-00 | |
| 1998 | Division 1B | 2 | 0-00 | 0 | 0-00 | — | 2 | 0-00 | ||
| 1999 | 6 | 0-00 | 2 | 0-00 | 2 | 0-00 | 10 | 0-00 | ||
| 2000 | 6 | 0-00 | 3 | 0-00 | 1 | 0-00 | 10 | 0-00 | ||
| 2001 | 6 | 0-00 | 1 | 0-00 | — | 7 | 0-00 | |||
| 2002 | 7 | 0-00 | 1 | 0-00 | 2 | 0-00 | 10 | 0-00 | ||
| 2003 | 6 | 0-00 | 2 | 0-00 | 3 | 0-00 | 11 | 0-00 | ||
| 2004 | 6 | 0-00 | 3 | 0-00 | 4 | 0-00 | 13 | 0-00 | ||
| 2005 | 6 | 0-00 | 2 | 0-00 | 3 | 0-00 | 11 | 0-00 | ||
| 2006 | Division 1A | 4 | 0-00 | 2 | 0-00 | 3 | 0-00 | 9 | 0-00 | |
| 2007 | 5 | 0-00 | 1 | 0-00 | 5 | 0-00 | 11 | 0-00 | ||
| 2008 | 5 | 0-00 | 1 | 0-00 | 4 | 0-00 | 10 | 0-00 | ||
| 2009 | Division 1 | 4 | 0-00 | 1 | 0-00 | 2 | 0-00 | 7 | 0-00 | |
| 2010 | 5 | 0-00 | 4 | 0-00 | 2 | 0-00 | 11 | 0-00 | ||
| 2011 | 4 | 0-00 | 1 | 0-00 | 3 | 0-00 | 8 | 0-00 | ||
| 2012 | Division 1A | 6 | 0-00 | — | — | 6 | 0-00 | |||
| Total | 79 | 0-00 | 24 | 0-00 | 34 | 0-00 | 137 | 0-00 | ||
| Career total | 79 | 0-00 | 36 | 0-00 | 44 | 0-00 | 159 | 0-00 | ||