Bangor-born singer defends support for Republic
The singer, born in Bangor, Co Down, is a fully fledged supporter of his home country, but he has been attacked online for supporting both sides.
“I’m a Northern Ireland supporter for sure,” said Lightbody.
“But the Republic of Ireland are in this tournament and I’m getting behind them. It’s a tricky subject but they would always be my second team. I’ve not really seen too many reasons for me not to support them but I know other people have their reasons.”
Lightbody faced a raft of online abuse after declaring on Twitter support for the Republic.
“All my tweets are just about spreading love,” he said. “I’m green and white army, no doubt, but I’ll also support the Republic when they play.”
Lightbody and his bandmates — compatriots guitarist Nathan Connolly and drummer Jonny Quinn, and Scots bassist Paul Wilson and keyboardist Tom Simpson — met the Ireland team in Sopot before playing a concert to about 2,000 fans in Gdansk — half of whom were wearing green jerseys.
“It was a chance to meet the team so we grabbed it with both hands,” saidLightbody. “We should be very proud of them.”
