John Fallon: Scrutiny of Littlejohn antics fair game in such an open match
It's the delicate ones that are the most difficult one to deal with, that space between the professional and personal that sports people seldom dwell.
Back in June 2019, the domestic football scene was in a vacuum. All of the attention was on Ireland's Euro qualifier in Denmark and that's where the press pack descended on to witness the crunch test of Mick McCarthy's second spell at the helm.
Into the void at home came a different story, one which transcended football and sport into wider society and that stigma of coming out.
Katie McCabe, the Ireland captain for three years, had chosen Pride Week to publicly declare her love for international teammate Ruesha Littlejohn. Together, they walked onto the lush Aviva Stadium pitch hand-in-hand to the backdrop of the national stadium illuminated in the colours of the rainbow to denote inclusivity and diversity.
Wearing matching green polo shirts of the sponsor, they each were at ease in their admiration of one another, speaking as they should in the same way as any cohabitating couple. Marriage was mentioned but there was much to do before that threshold was to be passed.
Everyone within Irish football circles had been aware of the pair's relationship as girlfriends prior to the big reveal. Public relations handlers had flagged the event. Its significance within the annals of sporting culture was reflected by the interest and general goodwill towards the couple.
When McCabe went on loan from Arsenal to Glasgow City in 2017, she moved to the native city of her partner, then part of the Celtic set-up.
All looked good in the world during the relationship and the pair would talk openly and glowingly about the joys of love when it arose.
It was only when McCabe
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