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Mickey Harte

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Mickey Harte turned down for a one year extension by Tyrone County Board. Clubs will nominate managers to take over, according to multiple sources. Sad ending to one of the greatest managers in history. Thanks for everything Mickey. The_Fridge (Tyrone) - Posts: 1790 - 11/11/2020 22:57:35 2307825 Link
Said it all on another thread. Great GAA man who maybe held on a wee bit longer than he should have. It was always going to happen one day. Step aside Mickey and go with dignity. Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9294 - 12/11/2020 00:04:10 2307842 Link
A great man and manager, put the willies up the Kerrymen and gave us a couple of beatings too. Best of luck Mickey, enjoy your free time. Much respect from the Dubs! realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 7772 - 12/11/2020 01:24:27 2307845 Link
Replying To Ulsterman: "Said it all on another thread. Great GAA man who maybe held on a wee bit longer than he should have. It was always going to happen one day. Step aside Mickey and go with dignity." 2 semi finals and an all Ireland final (twice getting beat by the greatest team in the history of GAA), in last few years ain't bad Ulsterman. I've heard arguments about MH to stay Or go years now, no one will know if it was the right decision until we see how we do in years to come. I know one thing, the new manager will be under pressure from day 1 because MH set the bar so high. Tyrone fans are as fickle as they come. Most think football began in 2003, they don't remember the 50 years previous where Tyrone weren't successful. MH has to go sometime. Unfortunate the way it is ending. The_Fridge (Tyrone) - Posts: 1790 - 12/11/2020 06:34:17 2307848 Link
What a man. Legend of a manager. He came to our club a few years back to give a talk and the entire room hung on his every word. A gentleman. It a sad ending and it's true the vast majority of managerial careers end on a sour note but I think when the dust settles, his status as not just a Tyrone legend, but a GAA legend is secured. yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 10339 - 12/11/2020 08:25:21 2307852 Link
If these reports are true I'd have to agree with one of the great players who said it'll be damaging for Tyrone as a whole if MH is forced out in controversial circumstances; Tyone is a big county; MH has a lot of loyal people behind him amongst their fund raising arm etc and keeping everyone together might be a challenge if this isn't dealt with correctly. If MH is asking for "one year" I don't see any reason in the current circumstances not to grant it. 2020/2021 season is basically the same season; what I mean is teams like Tyrone and Kerry are likely only 8 to 10 weeks away from starting the 2021 campaign; I'm sure the winter training/preparation for that will have rolled over from their championship defeats, in the last couple of weeks. If MH is asking for a year maybe he agrees about the roll over and sees more benefit in continuing on in 2021 before then handing over the job at a time the county has 6 months to identify and prepare for the new era. Alternatively Tyrone will not likely appoint a new manager until late December/Janaury and a new man/team will have a matter of weeks before the season kicks off; to me that puts a new regime on the backfoot from day one. I'm sure MH will know the best time to go and yes I'm sure he'd love one full season with McKenna and McShane fit in the full forward line to give it one last push for another All Ireland but I also think he is being sensible for what's best for his county and a new regime. When he leaves the transitional period will be difficult enough; having big games with a few weeks wouldn't help. My take on Tyrone as an outsider is no manager/coach in Tyrone would have had them competing with Dublin, McGuinnes's Donegal (Donegal's Murphy era has continued beyond that) or the very strong Mayo team in the 10's. Tyrone had an average bunch of players at best since 2010 and it's my view MH kept them in Div 1, won a few Ulster titles and got to an All Ireland final. In a way it's as big an achievement as winning the three All Ireland's with what he had to work with. The 00's teams were so strong but that was a once in a generation team for Tyrone. Tyrone never had that golden generation before in the 100 plus years of the GAA and despite some arrogance there is nothing to suggest they'll be lucky or have any right to have it again. For what MH has done for Tyrone it wouldn't be a nice way to end his reign; despite the push from the likes of RTE the county board should hold their nerve, give him a year, let him finish the season starting soon and then when he walks away it's done in a way the whole county can stay together and thank him for his service. sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 707 - 12/11/2020 08:58:39 2307855 Link
Met him a few yrs ago In Croke Park with the young lad ( who was wearing an Armagh top) - he was an absolute gentleman and was actually interested in where and what our club was cuchulainn35 (Armagh) - Posts: 1589 - 12/11/2020 09:05:54 2307856 Link
He'll go down as a major influence on the game. He brought a very new approach to the game back in the early 2000s. Brought the implementation of a more tactical approach to the game. It wasn't to everyone's taste but that Tyrone team did play some incredible stuff too. The "blanket defence" set up that they employed was not as extreme as what many teams played from about 2013. He'd a good mix between attack and defence. His team had some record against the Kerry team of the 2000s, one of the greatest teams of all time couldn't handle him. He couldn't reach the same heights recently and really had no answer to Dublin and struggled against Donegal. You can't really say though that they lost often to lesser teams, they just couldn't turn over the very best. Hopefully the new man in has good ideas and can take the team in a fresh new direction. Tyrone are one of the few counties with the structures in place and potential to be regular challengers to the likes of Dublin and Kerry. Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 3111 - 12/11/2020 09:08:06 2307858 Link
He's there a long time, though Sean Boylan was with Meath longer. 23 years. Boylan held on too long with Meath. Tyrone are not in a bad place for a new manager, McKenna back, Canavan coming through. Not the way he'd have liked to have gone if it happens. FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2216 - 12/11/2020 09:09:01 2307859 Link
Replying To yew_tree: "What a man. Legend of a manager. He came to our club a few years back to give a talk and the entire room hung on his every word. A gentleman. It a sad ending and it's true the vast majority of managerial careers end on a sour note but I think when the dust settles, his status as not just a Tyrone legend, but a GAA legend is secured." Well said - as some else commented - definitely deserving of a statue at some stage. On a side note - he has been great for GAA, but the GAA has been a saviour for him in some ways also after what happened. I truly hope he can find a different distraction when his managerial time is up. Maybe mentoring young coaches or passing on his words of wisdom in other ways. He still has a lot to offer in some shape or form imo. Pure legend. Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 3309 - 12/11/2020 09:26:01 2307861 Link
He should go now. He is leaving the county in a good place if he does and can hold his head high. He has brought through a lot of good footballers in recent years. People gave out about his defensive puke football in the noughties when they were winning. They had unbelievable footballers on those teams and I really enjoyed the football they played. Particularly the diagonal balls into Canavan and Mulligan. That team would have bet Dublin if around a decade later. I think some freshness would give Tyrone a new lease of life. hopballref (Galway) - Posts: 249 - 12/11/2020 09:35:20 2307864 Link
It's not true to say, as some have done, that Tyrone had no good teams prior to 2003, though. 1995 was daylight robbery by the ref, and 1986 when we were well in front with quarter of the game left was sheer inexperience in knowing how to close out a game. I still wonder about how 86 would have went if Frank McGuigan hadn't been injured, if Eugene McKenna at midfield hadn't been injured, and if Seán Donnelly had been leading the defence. In their respective positions, those 3 boys were 3 of the finest ball players that ever pulled on a Tyrone jersey. If Tyrone has McKenna, McShane as primary ball winners next year, supported by 2 tricky lads like Bradley and Lee Brennan, then our forward line would have a quality to it that hasn't been in evidence since the last decade. Mickey would be entitled to feel aggrieved that he has been shoved just before he's had a chance to work with that line-up. Of course, since Brennan is an old-fashioned "give me the ball" forward (not a modern shuttle runner boasting about his mileage stats during the game), Mickey never liked Brennan anyway. Mickey is a gentleman and a true GAA man. He did a lot for Tyrone, and when the dust settles, I hope Tyrone people remember that. essmac (Tyrone) - Posts: 796 - 12/11/2020 09:39:24 2307866 Link
Very unfortunate to see him go out like this, a great football man, an innovator and a true gent as well by all accounts. I hope he enjoys his retirement, however it came about. GeniusGerry (Kerry) - Posts: 1957 - 12/11/2020 09:43:20 2307867 Link
Replying To essmac: "It's not true to say, as some have done, that Tyrone had no good teams prior to 2003, though. 1995 was daylight robbery by the ref, and 1986 when we were well in front with quarter of the game left was sheer inexperience in knowing how to close out a game. I still wonder about how 86 would have went if Frank McGuigan hadn't been injured, if Eugene McKenna at midfield hadn't been injured, and if Seán Donnelly had been leading the defence. In their respective positions, those 3 boys were 3 of the finest ball players that ever pulled on a Tyrone jersey. If Tyrone has McKenna, McShane as primary ball winners next year, supported by 2 tricky lads like Bradley and Lee Brennan, then our forward line would have a quality to it that hasn't been in evidence since the last decade. Mickey would be entitled to feel aggrieved that he has been shoved just before he's had a chance to work with that line-up. Of course, since Brennan is an old-fashioned "give me the ball" forward (not a modern shuttle runner boasting about his mileage stats during the game), Mickey never liked Brennan anyway. Mickey is a gentleman and a true GAA man. He did a lot for Tyrone, and when the dust settles, I hope Tyrone people remember that." Accurate post but I'd say whilst you have had good teams prior to 2003 you didn't ultimtely have All Ireland winning teams. Yes every county can go through "what if's" but the reality is MH was the man who was able to maximise the potential of a good team and win the county All Ireland's. As you say hopefully Tyrone folk remember that when the dust settles on his reign; whenever it ends. My guess is Tyrone gaels may want "the Harte years" back a lot quicker than some imagine now and some don't realise how good he has been for the county. sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 707 - 12/11/2020 09:56:24 2307873 Link
I hold Mickey in the highest regard and sincerely hope he would announce his retirement as Tyrone Senior Manager now and receive the praise and recognition that is his due. If he doesn't then I fear this could become confrontational and undignified. The last thing that everyone needs is Mickey trying to desperately hang onto the position and looking like some sort of a Donald Trump Tribute Act. The man is much better that. downredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 560 - 12/11/2020 10:02:44 2307878 Link
Thought for all of Tyrones sake Micky would have got 1 and 1 only year. Tyrone not that far away and there would have been no bad feelings on either side. Micky took Tyrone from also rans to winners. Couldn't have nothing but praise for him and what he has went through on and off field. Tyrones next All Ireland will be for Micky. Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 276 - 12/11/2020 10:08:01 2307880 Link
Replying To The_Fridge: "2 semi finals and an all Ireland final (twice getting beat by the greatest team in the history of GAA), in last few years ain't bad Ulsterman. I've heard arguments about MH to stay Or go years now, no one will know if it was the right decision until we see how we do in years to come. I know one thing, the new manager will be under pressure from day 1 because MH set the bar so high. Tyrone fans are as fickle as they come. Most think football began in 2003, they don't remember the 50 years previous where Tyrone weren't successful. MH has to go sometime. Unfortunate the way it is ending." I think Mickey Harte has done well the last few years And if he does leave he can be proud of what he achieved in the twilight of his management career Tyrone were unlucky a couple of weeks ago and they showed enough that if it was a normal year could have really pushed for an Ulster title and go onto have every chance of making another Semi-Final and then who knows.. He'll go down a legend regardless but again for me he doesn't leave in a shadow, he can be proud of the effort put in over the last number of seasons jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20035 - 12/11/2020 10:13:59 2307884 Link
Mickey Harte is a great manager, and his legacy is set in stone no matter what happens. Not everybody gets the fairytale ending to their career as a manager or a player, in fact the opposite is often the case and unfortunately it looks like Mickey may not get the end he wanted. But look he's won 3 All Irelands, 6 Ulster Championships and 1 NFL, that isn't bad ladies and gentlemen. Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8583 - 12/11/2020 10:30:06 2307892 Link
I still haven't heard anything on what the plan is after Mickey. A lot of people saying its the right time to go etc, but not a name, short or long term plan has been thrown out there as far as I'm aware. It would be something that would need to be in place before a major decision like that is made. SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2020 - 12/11/2020 10:30:53 2307894 Link
The Tyrone U21 manager from 2015 was mentioned.Fergal Logan. They won the All Ireland that year. FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2216 - 12/11/2020 10:46:58 2307898 Link