Former Meath footballer Geraldine Doherty is looking forward to the birth of her first child with her wife Lesley in April. She talks to Oliver about coming out, her selector job at St. Ultan's and the future of Gaelic games. Listen back above.
All-Star and former Meath forward Geraldine Doherty met her wife Lesley Buchanan when they were both playing football at Saint Ultan’s GFC. After more than 10 years together, they married 18 months ago and Lesley is due to give birth to their first baby in April. Oliver asked Geraldine if it was tough for her to come out to family and friends in the community and in the sporting world?
Geraldine says that the people around her made it easy for her, but it had been an emotional journey to get to that point:
"I really struggled, I was in my late 20s when I accepted who I was. So then when I eventually came out to family and friends, they were so supportive, you know, and I really had the backing of them all. So I was so lucky."
Doherty radiates positivity about her experience as a footballer, and she says her club and the wider sporting community responded brilliantly:
"I felt that the LGFA, the GAA community was really supportive and really encouraging and really inclusive – it’s a lovely environment to be in. I feel that it’s very easy to come out in that kind of environment."
Geraldine says she’s very close to both of her parents and she recalls the moment she spoke to her Mam:
"I really struggled with it, I really did. I suppose I remember crying in the car with my Mam, telling her; you know, and it’s hard for parents to hear. And I always remember that day in particular, she was worried about me not having a family and it’s actually lovely now she’s going to see that, which is really nice."
It was a great relief to get everything out in the open and just be herself in the company of the family and the players she loves, she says:
"You really just need to be your true self, don’t you? I was living a lie for so long. I suppose I was always the loud, the funny, the humorous one, but underneath it all, I was, you know, really struggling myself."
Now happily married and expecting a baby with Lesley, who is due to give birth in April; Geraldine says that she has come across coming out stories across the GAA that are similarly positive. She hopes that this may encourage other athletes to share their stories:
"I’ve since looked up a couple of articles of club players coming out and they’re actually brilliant. If anyone is struggling, there are brilliant articles. I think a club player in Laois and a club player in Wicklow, have been interviewed but no inter-county footballers or hurlers have come out since Dónal Óg, which is such a shame, really."
From speaking to people across the wider GAA family, in both the men’s and women’s games, Geraldine says there is a lot of support out there:
"Be true to yourself. You’re going to get the support. It’s a really good environment to come out into, the GAA. I’ve hear David Clifford talk about it, I’ve hear the top players speak about having a team mate in the dressing room who was gay; there’d be no issue. It’s like a big family and the support is there for them."
Since retiring from Meath football, Geraldine spent a few years as a selector with Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels Senior Ladies. With a full-time job and a baby on the way, she was all set to take a break from football, when the call came from the manager of the men’s football team at St. Ultan’s for her to step in as a selector. Geraldine says it was hard to resist:
"When the opportunity came up, I knew it was something very different and I couldn’t say no."
Oliver asks about the pressure of being a selector, particularly for a woman in the men’s game? Geraldine laughs off the suggestion of pressure – she says it’s all part of the job and everyone just gets on with it at the end of the day. She says the lads made her feel like she belonged from day one:
"I really have to say I’ve had such a warm welcome. I don’t even think they bat an eyelid, the lads. It’s been lovely. I know Cora Staunton is below in Mayo; she’s setting the tone, so look it, it’s only a matter of time before more women get involved and get asked."
Geraldine welcomes the upcoming merger of the men’s and women’s Gaelic games associations. Oliver asks if she thinks female players are looking forward to the change, or would they have preferred to continue as before? Doherty says the change will work out well for many dual players, as the LGFA (Ladies Gaelic Football Association) and the CA (Camogie Association) will streamline their schedules, making it easier for dual players in the future:
"Yeah it’s a long time coming, isn’t it Oliver? I suppose we’ve heard a lot about it in the last few years; dual players really struggling to play both sports, it’s lovely to see now it coming together, ease up the schedule for them, hopefully so they can play both sports."
Things are looking up for ladies football, Geraldine says, and the profile of the game is going from strength to strength:
"It’s definitely improving and it’s gonna get there - You can see the different crowds in the All Irelands now, it’s 50, 60 thousand for a Ladies’ game; it’s unbelievable how far it’s come."
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