Shane Duffy told Brighton 'no' about Martin McGuinness tribute

Derry man and Republic of Ireland defender, Shane Duffy, has revealed that when he was asked by Brighton and Hove Albion to remove a tribute to Martin McGuinness from social media, he told the club "no".
Brighton and Hove Albion and Republic of Ireland defender, Shane Duffy. Inset: the late Martin McGuinness.Brighton and Hove Albion and Republic of Ireland defender, Shane Duffy. Inset: the late Martin McGuinness.
Brighton and Hove Albion and Republic of Ireland defender, Shane Duffy. Inset: the late Martin McGuinness.

In an interview with former Republic of Ireland international, Richie Sadler for Second Captains, Duffy also revealed how he was in the company of former Derry City F.C. captain, Ryan McBride, two days before he died.

Read More
Mental health spendlag blasted by MLA

Five people, including a Conservative MP were killed and more than 30 people were injured.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Martin McGuinness passed away last March after a short illness. Like many others around the world, Duffy took to social media to pay tribute to his fellow Derry man.

"I don't think people know, if you're not from Derry, obviously people just think automatically that Martin McGuinness is bad but people in Derry know, it's a lot different to people closer to home," said Duffy.

"I would do the same thing again, it's just where I'm from. I just didn't think that there would be such a backlash of it," he added.

Brighton and Hove Albion's were made aware of Duffy's tribute to Mr. McGuinness; they requested the tribute be removed but Duffy refused and told them no.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"I only met him personally three or four times, like. He was always up for a laugh with the lads - he loved his football. He obviously had a serious head on as well, sometimes. He was always in the headlines for good or bad stuff - people have opinions - but he did a lot for Derry," Duffy told Second Captains."I met him with James [McClean] a couple of times, he was in our hotel in France [at Euro 2016]. Obviously he supported the Derry boys. I never had a lot of time with him but when I met him he was always a nice guy."