MARIA Walsh said the judges and committee had no idea that she was gay before she was crowned Rose of Tralee.

She was speaking on RTE’s ‘The Late Late Show’ on Friday night.

The 27 year old was asked about everything from coming out to her love of Mayo football.

She described the presentation of a signed Mayo jersey at Croke Park as “bar the crown and the [Rose of Tralee] sash, probably the greatest gift I’ve ever been given.”

On the gay issue, Maria said she had no problem with the newspaper article which appeared on the Sunday after her win, publicly announcing her sexuality.

“The newspaper reached out to me before it came out. I’ve been openly gay for two years…I’m very transparent, I’ve nothing to hide,” she said.

Maria said she found out she was gay two years ago when she walked into a room and met someone. That relationship ended but they remain friends.

She also said no-one on the Rose of Tralee committee knew about her sexuality because it never came up, but she said if she was asked the question she would have told them.

Maria was asked by Tubridy if she was comfortable about being a gay role model.

“I support it to a certain extent. Of course I do. If I can help one young person come out an deal with it in a positive way, my work as Rose of Tralee is complete,” she said.

As for the future, she has a lot travelling and charity work to do as Rose of Tralee but don’t be surprised if we see her on TV again after such a comfortable and professional interview.