Jan 4
Irish Hurling Legend Dónal Óg Cusack Announces Engagement to Longtime Partner Nathan Adams
READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Dónal Óg Cusack, a celebrated figure in Irish hurling, revealed his engagement to Nathan Adams in a heartfelt Instagram Reel posted on December 25, 2025. The video captured the couple on a scenic clifftop, both wearing engagement rings, with the caption "25-12-25 Dónal Óg Cusack Happy Christmas to all" followed by a ring emoji . The post quickly amassed over 12,000 likes and drew hundreds of congratulatory messages from fans and public figures, underscoring the couple's popularity.
Cusack's career as a Gaelic Athletic Association star is marked by extraordinary achievements and personal courage. As a three-time All-Ireland hurling champion with Cork, he secured five Munster medals and two All-Star awards, while making 54 championship appearances as a goalkeeper—the most in Cork's history. In 2009, Cusack publicly came out as gay through his autobiography "Come What May", becoming the first elite Irish athlete to do so. This moment was later recognized in Outsports’s list of the 100 most important moments in LGBTQ+ sports history.
Reflecting on his experience, Cusack told Raidió Teilifís Éireann : “I wasn’t the gay hurler – I was a hurler who happened to be gay.” He continued competing at the elite level until 2013, reaching age 36, before transitioning to broadcasting as a pundit and coach for Ireland’s public broadcaster RTÉ. Despite facing severe backlash, including death threats and menacing letters post-coming out, Cusack emphasized his resilience: “Did I get a bit of stick? I did.” In his memoir, he detailed exploring relationships with women before embracing his identity: “I tried to go out with women to make sure... I get more out of men. I just do. Always have.”
Cusack and Adams, who reside in the village of Cloyne east of Cork, have shared their lives for more than a decade. Adams, a model-turned-entrepreneur and influencer, has competed in HYROX events—a fitness challenge combining 8 kilometers of running with functional workout stations—across Ireland, the UK, and Germany. Adams publicly came out on social media before Ireland’s 2015 referendum on equal marriage, aligning his personal story with broader LGBTQ+ advocacy.
The engagement announcement resonated widely within LGBTQ+ and sports communities. Bisexual Olympic taekwondo athlete Jack Woolley, who got engaged earlier in 2025, commented in support, highlighting solidarity among queer athletes. Fans flooded the post with messages, celebrating the couple’s commitment amid Ireland’s evolving landscape for same-sex marriage, legalized in 2015.
Cusack’s milestone builds on his role as a trailblazer. By coming out in 2009, he challenged norms in hurling, a sport deeply embedded in Irish culture, and inspired future generations of LGBTQ+ athletes to live authentically. His story parallels global shifts toward inclusivity, where visibility from figures like Cusack fosters acceptance. Today, at 48, Cusack remains active in media and coaching, while Adams pursues fitness endeavors, their partnership exemplifying enduring love within the LGBTQ+ community.
This engagement, announced on a festive Christmas Day, symbolizes joy and progress. As the couple looks toward their future, their union continues to affirm that personal happiness and professional excellence can coexist for LGBTQ+ individuals in sports.
