Latest news with #Harte
Belfast Telegraph
4 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Mickey Harte makes decision on his future as Offaly boss after a strong campaign
Harte joined the set-up last August and since then he has helped to make a significant impact on the county's fortunes. The team won Division Three of the Allianz Football League before losing to All-Ireland Semi-Finalists Meath in the Leinster Championship. The Offaly side showed greater composure and commitment this year and Harte is hopeful that they can offer greater resistance and staying power next year although he acknowledges that they may find the going tougher in Division Two. Harte's impact, though, has been felt both on and off the field in Offaly. The midland county won their first two group matches in the Tailteann Cup against Oisin McConville's Wicklow side and Waterford before a defeat to Justin McNulty's Laois sent Offaly into a Preliminary Quarter-Final against New York. They eventually lost to Kildare in the Tailteann Cup at the Quarter-Final stage with the Lilywhites proceeding into Saturday's Final against Limerick at Croke Park (2.30pm). Meanwhile, the two former Armagh players who have been holding down managerial posts in Leinster will continue in their current roles. McNulty and McConville were in the Armagh team that won the 2002 All-Ireland title but right now McNulty has indicated that he will remain as manager of Laois while it is understood that McConville will continue as the Wicklow team boss. Both McNulty and McConville have made an impact with their respective counties and are particularly keen to chart significant progress next year. McConville has helped to assemble a Wicklow side that has been improving of late and he is particularly keen to take the team further next year.
Irish Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
How Tyrone was transformed from makeweights into one of football's superpowers
It wasn't that Tyrone were an irrelevance. No, throughout the first 100 years of the GAA, they had won people's respect. Their problem was they won precious little else. The bottom line is that up until the GAA's centenary year, Gaelic football had two permanent superpowers and everyone else either came and went or else weren't seen at all. And Tyrone were stuck in the latter category. These are the facts. In 1983, 99 years after the GAA was formed, Tyrone had three Ulster senior championships and three minor All-Irelands engraved onto their honours board. But in the 42 years since, the etcher has been carving history. Until 1986, they had never appeared in an All-Ireland final. They've since been to seven. Until 2003, they had never won an All-Ireland. They now have four. Until 1998, they had won three minor All-Irelands. They now have nine, the latest arriving last Sunday. Until 1990, they had never won an Under 21 All-Ireland. They now have eight. And that's before we mention the two National Leagues, the six All-Ireland Vocational schools titles, the 13 Ulster senior titles, picked up since 1984. Someone should write a book about that year. For that was when it all changed for Tyrone, when the foundation stones were built which saw them turn from an easy touch into a genuine football superpower. 'I'm not comfortable with the word superpower being attached to us,' says Benny Hurl, who was involved in the management team that won a minor All-Ireland last week. 'A lot of hard work goes on in Tyrone for sure, but hard work takes place all over Ireland. It's not just us.' Perhaps so, but it's clear that Tyrone works smart as well as hard. For these are the facts: only two other counties, Dublin and Kerry, have won more All-Irelands this century; only three teams, the Dubs, Kerry and Mayo, have appeared in more All-Ireland semi-finals since 2000 while no county has won more All-Irelands than Tyrone at minor and Under 20/21 level in the same timeframe. This is the story of how Tyrone footballers morphed from Clark Kent into Superman. FOOTBALL IS ART Before there was Mickey Harte, there was Art McRory, the founding father of Tyrone coaching. 'A hugely gifted and influential man,' says Hurl. McRory was a teacher by profession but really he was more than that. 'A pioneer,' says Joe McMahon, a Tyrone All-Ireland winner in 2005 and 2008. 'He guided; he led; he moulded men.' It was McRory who brought Tyrone to the 1986 and 1995 All-Irelands as well as to their first national title at senior level in 2002. More than that, he was Tyrone's Rinus Michels, Harte their Johann Cruyff. Everything started with McRory, those successful coaches that came after - Harte, Paddy Tally, Hurl, Peter Canavan, Ciaran McBride, Danny Ball, Brian Dooher, Fergal Logan, Martin Coyle, Liam Donnelly - learning from the master. Between them all, they shaped Tyrone. The titles started coming, first at underage level, then - when Harte took charge in 2003 - at senior. 'Anything Mickey did was competitive, whether it was a drill or an in-house game,' says McMahon. 'He is a great wordsmith in terms of how he gets his message across, too. When he speaks, people listen. 'When I was there, his big thing was instilling pride and privilege into you with regard to playing for Tyrone. 'You have earned this jersey,' he'd tell us. 'Make sure you leave it in a better place'.' This is 2008 footballer of the year Sean Cavanagh's take: 'Mickey's big thing was he never felt inferior to anyone or anything, ever. The stars almost aligned. Peter was established; a new crop of underage players had emerged; and Mickey took charge. 'We knew the talent was there in 2003. But we had never won anything, All-Ireland wise. We had an inferiority complex. 'So, Mickey drilled into us that we were better than Dublin, than Kerry, than Armagh. Ever since we won that first All-Ireland, we have not feared anyone. We almost love the feeling, 'Come on Tyrone, we are on our own'. That is who we are. We are not ashamed to be a part of that.' JUST JEALOUS GUYS Before Tyrone, there was Down, All-Ireland champions in 1991 and 1994. Then came Donegal, champs in 1992; next was Derry, the 1993 winners, and then Armagh. 'One thing you have to acknowledge is that Tyrone is a big county, and a footballing county. There is a lot of ambition here,' says Cavanagh, who remembers being a boy waiting for two hours to see the Derry bus pass through The Moy, his village, with their 1993 All-Ireland. 'The stimulation of the other Ulster sides winning in the early '90s played a part in our rise, no question. For me growing up, we were told as children to support the Ulster team in an All-Ireland. We always felt that Ulster pride. 'I idolised the likes of Anthony Tohill, Mickey Linden; their success stoked fires in us. We had the brilliance of Peter The Great and came so close ourselves in 1995. I remember crying in the Cusack Stand that day when Dublin beat us by a point. 'But at the same time the fires were starting to ignite and from then on, it was only a matter of time before we began to win things … big things.' TROUBLES ENDING The Troubles is a touchy subject. Those of us who lived through it, don't like to speak of it, too much loss, too much pain. Yet you can't ignore the fact that the GAA has thrived in the six counties since the political situation stabilised in the 1990s. Just look at the facts. Until 1990, Ulster teams had won the All-Ireland on eight occasions. Since then, Tyrone (four), Down, Donegal and Armagh (two each) and Derry (one), have brought Sam home. You can't say it is a coincidence that as soon as the intimidation ended, our games thrived. 'As a child, I remember going to Dungannon Leisure Centre and being told, 'take off your Tyrone top, you aren't allowed to wear it',' says Cavanagh. 'It was a real taboo thing. Now GAA jerseys are everywhere and anywhere but because you have more of an openness and pride in the GAA, participation levels have gone through the roof. The political stuff has settled down.' GRUNT WORK Benny Hurl is a GAA man. It's in the blood. A Sigerson Cup winning coach with UUJ, now a minor All-Ireland winner with Tyrone, he flies under the radar on a national level, but only because Tyrone have produced so many outstanding coaches. And that's just the point he seeks to make. 'Throughout the county, at club, at primary school, at secondary school, you have so many outstanding coaches,' says Hurl, 'people who have a love for Tyrone, surely, but the GAA in general. That's the same everywhere, I know. It's not just us.' That's true. But Tyrone does things differently. They run their own summer camps, for example; the number of former inter county players - such as Peter and Pascal Canavan, Ciaran McBride - who are coaching in schools is disproportionately higher in quality and numbers than in other counties. 'In 1984, the GAA placed an emphasis on developing facilities for our centenary year,' says Hurl. Tyrone, with 54 clubs, really went after that idea. Cavanagh said: 'When I go to Go Games around the county, I see junior clubs which now have five or six pitches, walking tracks around them. I coach Under 5s. We have 30 kids on any training night. Thirty years ago, we would have had around five.' Then there is Club Tyrone, the fundraising body set up in 1995. 'We are a big county, lots of engineering firms and big businesses,' says Cavanagh. 'There has been a real buy-in to developing football in the county.' Their centre of excellence at Garvaghy is not just a building, not just a meeting place but a footballing university where coaching standards are raised. 'We're a big county; Garvaghy is smack bang in the middle,' says Cavanagh. 'The quality and investment in coaching have increased. The right people have been behind them. A lot of counties seem to be fractured. Tyrone has been very good at pooling resources and trying to get the best out of us.' VIRTUOUS CIRCLE 'Success breeds success,' says McMahon. His career came after the 1998 All-Ireland minor breakthrough and the back-to-back Under 21s who followed. He was on the Hill in 2003 but on the pitch in 2005 and 2008. And that's the point people have missed. That generation in the Noughties has been followed up on. Today, against Kerry, Tyrone will appear in their 11th All-Ireland semi-final in 22 years. That's serious consistency and that's before we mention the four Hogan Cup successes enjoyed by their schools in that timeframe, the three Under 20 All-Irelands won in the last four years, the minor All-Ireland won last weekend. McMahon says: 'You look at the quality of schools' football in the county. Tyrone schools and underage clubs constantly competing at the top end. The quality and drive of coaching has been way ahead for a number of years.' Hurl reckons being a large county - one that has 54 clubs - helps as well as the fact it is largely a rural population, as the GAA thrives outside of urban areas. For McMahon, the number of county players working as teachers in Tyrone schools is huge: 'That kind of coaching and belief they gave us was special. 'The power of those guys being role models in the schools; and then the people and role models you had in your own clubs, how would you not have success from that? The foundation of a good player is having that hard work and belief. The other attributes will fall in behind that and support that. The teaching is a huge part of why Tyrone has had success.' NO FEAR Once upon a time, Tyrone had an inferiority complex. Like in 1986, they led that All-Ireland final by seven points before missing a penalty and losing it by eight. Today, they won't hold any fear. McMahon says: 'We are not fixated on past glories. There are generations now who want to prove themselves and put their own stamp on things, write their own chapter for Tyrone's history. 'Any team that has success drives the next generation. That's who we are.'
Irish Examiner
7 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Tyrone's thirty-somethings bolstered by young guns in pursuit of All-Ireland glory
We keep going because we love the game – Peter Harte's philosophy on the sporting longevity of Tyrone's thirty-somethings. Along with Mattie Donnelly and Niall Morgan, Harte is still going strong 15 years after his inter-county debut and chasing a second All-Ireland title. And one of the reasons for his passion for gaelic football comes calling again this weekend when he throws himself into another high stakes championship battle with old adversaries Kerry. 'Myself and Niall and Mattie are very similar, we love football,' he said. 'When you play this long, you put an awful lot of your life into it, and you do grow an appreciation of trying to make the most out of it, if you can. 'Very soon you'll not be playing, you'll be coming down with your family to watch matches, so you want to make the most of it when you are playing, and please God, we can do that.' Young blood breaking through the Red Hand ranks has added a freshness to an evolving squad that has been moulded by manager Malachy O'Rourke into a force with genuine ambitions to bring Sam back to the county for a fifth time. 'Thankfully we have some great young lads, and we're starting to see just how good they are,' said Harte (34). 'We've seen them in club football a lot, and we're just hoping that that can continue, because as we've seen over the years, you need a big impact in the last few minutes in Croke Park to win these games.' Tyrone suffered an alarming slump following their All-Ireland triumph in 2021, failing to make it past the quarter-final stage, and last year suffered a shock exit at home to Roscommon. 'We have been the ones that were watching over the last few years, sitting at home and not getting to Croke Park on the bigger days. 'You probably appreciate it more in the latter part of your career, but it's great to be back, but it's about making the most of it now. 'Beating Dublin and then going out in the semi-final would still be a disappointment, that's the harsh reality of the sport you play, so we just want to keep building, keep the heads down and train hard for the next day against a serious operator.' Harte believes any one of this weekend's semi-finalists can have realistic aspirations of going all the way, such is the unpredictability of the new-look game. 'There's definitely an openness feeling towards it all now. 'When the Dubs were at their peak, unless they didn't play to their full potential, you knew that they had the team that was very hard to rein in. 'But now everybody left in it has serious ambitions to win it. 'We just want to make sure that we're there with them, that we put our best foot forward in an All-Ireland semi-final again.' Kerry go into Saturday's semi-final as favourites to advance to the decider, thanks to their stunning victory over reigning champions Armagh, while Tyrone needed a late flourish to get the better of an off-colour Dublin side. 'We have plenty of things to learn and work on, but there was great grit and determination in that last ten minutes to wrestle the game back in our favour, and then when we got that bit of momentum, we had the quality with boys coming off the bench to kick us over the line,' Harte said. 'It probably wasn't the cleanest game of football by any stretch. In Croke Park you're basically playing on a new surface, you play with new footballs, and when it's greasy like that, mistakes just seem to happen more readily. 'The new rules mean that every minute you're attacking and defending, and if you don't win enough of those wee breaks, you probably lose the game over not doing an awful lot wrong.'
Irish Daily Mirror
31-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Tyrone vs Mayo LIVE score updates from All-Ireland SFC round two clash
It has been a remarkable seven days in the history of Tyrone football and they'll want to keep that momentum rolling when they face Mayo in Omagh this evening. Last Saturday night, Tyrone claimed a famous win over Donegal in Ballybofey. Not only was it the first time they'd beaten Jim McGuinness in Championship football, but they handed Donegal a first loss in MacCumhaill Park under his reign. The following day, the Tyrone minors won the Ulster title at the expense of Cavan in Brewster Park before the Red Hands retained their All-Ireland U20 crown with a 14-point victory against Louth at the Box-It Athletic Grounds. It was Tyrone's third title at the grade in four seasons. A fifth All-Ireland title at senior level is the ultimate goal for Malachy O'Rourke, but he is still in the infancy of his three-year tenure and Tyrone will need to back up last Saturday's display with another to prove they deserve to be considered as contenders for the Sam Maguire in 2025. Mayo, on the other hand, have work to do to ensure they're still in the Championship past the group stages after suffering a shock loss to Cavan in round one. Another loss this evening would leave them needing a result against Donegal in round three, although Mayo have a habit of producing the good when their backs are against the wall. We'll have all the latest team news and build-up ahead of throw-in at 7pm. Referee David Coldrick (Meath) gets the game under way! Mayo will have the wind advantage in the first half Ben McDonnell starts for Tyrone in place of Brian Kennedy at midfield. Nathan McCarron and Liam Gray have also been added to the squad in place of Padraig Hampsey and U20 star Eoin McElholm. Mayo have made four changes with Donnacha McHugh, Dylan Thornton, Jordan Flynn and Davitt Neary replaced by Sean Morahan, Paddy Durcan, Bob Tuohy and Conal Dawson. Conor Reid has also been added to the bench Tyrone 3/10 Draw 8/1 Mayo 7/2 Peter Harte has cautioned that Tyrone could be facing an 'ambush' at home to Mayo this evening. After beating Donegal last weekend, the Red Hands face Mayo in their home Group One tie with the Connacht side coming off the back of a shock round one loss to Cavan in Castlebar. Harte, who won an All-Ireland SFC title in 2021 when Tyrone defeated Mayo in the final, fears their could be a sting in the tail from Mayo. 'It's all set up for an ambush,' said Harte. 'We have started with a win while they were beat but they will come to Healy Park with the bit between their teeth and we have a week to get our feet back down to the ground plan for Mayo as its going to be another serious tough test. 'Everybody knows Mayo, they don't go away quietly and we know what to expect. 'The group is now really open with our win and then Cavan beating Mayo. You see results in other games and groups as well. People talk about there being no jeopardy, but when you're out on the field there's plenty of jeopardy. 'If we'd lost against Donegal, then you had Mayo coming up the road after losing and in big bother. We just want to put our best foot forward and get ready for Mayo. 'We've lost the opening match during the past two years, so it's good to be going into this second tie with a win. You're under pressure straight away when the first game is lost and we want to put another good performance in now.' Mayo: Colm Reape; Jack Coyne, Donnacha McHugh, Rory Brickenden, Stephen Coen, David McBrien, Enda Hession; Dylan Thornton, Matthew Ruane; Jack Carney, Darren McHale, Jordan Flynn; Aidan O'Shea, Davitt Neary, Ryan O'Donoghue. Tyrone: Niall Morgan, Cormac Quinn, Peter Teague, Niall Devlin; Michael McKernan, Rory Brennan, Kieran McGeary; Brian Kennedy, Conn Kilpatrick; Seanie O'Donnell, Mattie Donnelly, Ciaran Daly; Darren McCurry, Mark Bradley, Darragh Canavan. It has been a difficult few weeks for Mayo and they are without Kevin McStay for the foreseeable after he stepped from his role as manager for health reasons. McStay was admitted to hospital last weekend after an incident at a training session in Castlebar and Stephen Rochford will be on the sideline for today's game against Tyrone in Omagh. Mayo will then have a fortnight before their round three clash with Ulster champions Donegal at a neutral venue. In a statement issued by Mayo county board, McStay said: 'Mayo GAA Board and I are in strong agreement that current assistant manager/head coach Stephen Rochford will lead our preparations for upcoming games. 'We are blessed to have a man of Stephen's calibre and, as a valued member of the management team for the past three seasons, he ensures continuity. While I will not be on the training field or on the sideline on match day, I will be with management and players in spirit every step of the way.' Chairman Seamus Tuohy extended best wishes to McStay, adding: 'We look forward to him (McStay) returning to the role as soon as it is practical for him to do so.'
Irish Examiner
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Galway ‘keeper Fahy a Leinster final doubt as he is hit with retrospective ban
Galway goalkeeper Darach Fahy is at risk of missing Sunday week's Leinster SHC final against Kilkenny after receiving a retrospective one-match ban. Dublin's Conor Donohoe has also been issued with a recommended suspension arising from the counties's Leinster SHC final round game in Parnell Park last Sunday. The Erin's Isle man could miss the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final against Joe McDonagh Cup winners, Kildare or Laois. The punishments have been proposed by the Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) for the first-half incidents not dealt with by referee Colm Lyons. Fahy made contact with his hurley against Andrew Jamieson-Murphy's leg after the Galway netminder passed the ball away. Donohoe caught John Fleming with his hurley around the neck as the Galway forward attempted to strike the ball towards the goal from close range. Both counties were informed of the CCCC's decisions in the last 24 hours and it is expected Galway will at least contest Fahy's ban in front of the Central Hearings Committee as there is further annoyance in the county with the disciplinary process. In the earlier round game against Offaly in Glenisk O'Connor Park, Galway were aggrieved that Daithí Burke was sent off while selector Aidan Harte was handed a four-week suspension for 'abusive language towards an official'. Galway had successfully contested the 'any type of physical interference with an Opposing Player/Team Official' charge brought against Harte but he was also served with the other infraction. Harte's penalty elapses before Sunday week's provincial decider. Speaking to Galway Bay FM earlier this month, Micheál Donoghue articulated Galway's stance. 'I think collectively from a management, players, county board we were really disappointed with that transpired in Tullamore. 'From our perspective, we viewed it as pretty shambolic, and something that we weren't happy with. Look, for us moving forward we'll be mindful in everything we do in similar circumstance.' There is also some consternation in hurling circles how no suspensions were issued from the row that followed the Ulster senior football final, although the Irish Examiner understands fines were issued to Armagh and Donegal.
