Former All-Ireland winner Joe Brolly has offered his support to a troubled GAA player who appeared in a gay pornography video.

Cathal McCarron has been subjected to a torrent of homophobic abuse after the explicit film emerged online.

The 26-year-old – who received an All Star nomination for his displays for Tyrone last year – has struggled with a gambling addiction in the past.

He moved to London for a fresh start, but concerns for his welfare have been raised after the sex video appeared on the internet.

McCarron closed his Twitter account after being targeted by a series of cruel jibes.

However, many in the GAA community have voiced their support for the player, including former Derry star Brolly.

He tweeted: "Cathal McCarron needs our support. Kid is in a bad place. Hard to know how it got so bad. Time for Gaels to rally round."

Another said: "What Cathal McCarron does is none of our business, what he does in his private life to make a living is his. No shame at all. His choice."

Recently McCarron has been playing for the London GAA side.

London GAA county vice-chairman Tony O'Halloran said he hoped McCarron got whatever support he needed.

"I wouldn't know him very well but I wasn't aware that he had any problems since he moved here and now we're just hoping he'll get any help that he needs," he said.

The video, entitled 'Masculine straight Irishman's first gay sex video', shows McCarron in a series of compromising positions with another male.

In the video the player states: "There's not much opportunity to do this in Ireland."

He also said: "I play football so I'm full-time getting naked in front of all the boys."

The adult film is available on a well-known gay porn site where straight men are convinced to engage in sex acts in exchange for money.

It is the latest in a series of incidents involving McCarron to hit the headlines. Last year he spoke of "tough times" in his battle against a serious gambling problem.

At the time Tyrone boss Mickey Harte offered his support to the troubled player.

Cathal McCarron was one of Tyrone's standout performers last year. The 26-year-old corner-back lined out for Mickey Harte's side in their All-Ireland semi-final defeat by Mayo.

However, McCarron, who also played club football for Dromore St Dympna's, hit the headlines last October when details of his chronic gambling addiction became public.

He moved to London to make a fresh start and has recently been playing for its senior side.

Belfast Telegraph