The frontman of Northern Irish band Ash on invitations from Martin O’Neill, skippering David Healy’s hockey side and New York’s best Gunners hangout
EXCLUSIVE INTERVI EW
What was the first match that you ever saw live?
For Arsenal, it was a home win against Bolton during the 2003-04 Invincibles season. I’d been living in Highbury for quite a while and never seen a match, but then I bumped into Vince Power, a promoter who used to run Reading Festival, and he was shocked that I’d never been to an Arsenal game. He was like, “Take my season tickets and check them out – especially this season as they’re amazing!” So, I went along and immediately got hooked – Arsenal won 2-1 with goals from Robert Pires and Dennis Bergkamp. I loved all of the songs and the banter. There was someone behind me who just wasn’t into Thierry Henry, which was very bizarre. Maybe he wasn’t playing as well as this guy expected in that game. I found it a little surprising.
Who was your childhood hero and did you ever meet them?
I was nine when Northern Ireland went to the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. Norman Whiteside [right] was 21, still really young, and one of the highest profile players in that side – you’d see his picture everywhere around Northern Ireland and everybody was crazy about him. I was a bit too young to enjoy the ’82 World Cup when we beat the hosts, Spain. I didn’t realise that was a golden age and wouldn’t happen again for such a long time. After ’86, we didn’t qualify for a tournament again until Euro 2016. I had no idea I’d have to wait so long, and I’m still waiting to see us at another World Cup. I’ve never met Whiteside, but I’ve met Martin O’Neill and Gerry Armstrong on a few occasions. They’re legends. I’ve been to a number of matches with Martin [far right].
It turned out his daughter is an Ash fan and we’d get her into our gigs. I think Martin felt guilty about asking, so he’d invite me to some brilliant games. He got me tickets for the 2005 FA Cup Final, when Arsenal beat Manchester United on penalties, and I saw several Aston Villa matches from their directors’ box while he was managing there. He’d say, “You can’t celebrate goals!” and things like that, plus he was always worried that I’d turn up in a shirt and tie. He’s a huge music fan and we’d end up chatting about Thin Lizzy.
What do you love most about going to a match?
The atmosphere, the banter and the euphoria of a goal, particularly if it’s a late winner when your nerves have gone
