SINGER Nathan Carter, pictured, last night refused to be drawn into the Garth Brooks controversy that has seen the young performer lose an opportunity to play in front of 160,000 music fans in Croke Park. The 23-year-old had been set to warm up the crowd for American superstar Brooks at the GAA stadium on July 28 and 29, while former Westlife star Shane Filan had been booked to play on July 26 and 27.
A Liverpudlian by birth, both Carter's parents are from Newry and the singer is basing himself in Enniskillen as he works to crack the Irish country scene.
His manager John Farry last night refused to become embroiled in the row, saying that the team had "no comment'' on the cancellations. Filan meanwhile said he has been left "devastated'' by Brooks' decision, describing himself as a "huge fan'' of the star. "It was a dream come true when I was asked to support him,'' Filan said.
Valerie Robinson