Mickey Harte is now only a few days out from taking charge of Derry for the first time as they take on Cavan in Round 1 of the Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup next Wednesday.
Harte, who managed his native Tyrone to three All-Ireland senior football championship titles, caused quite the stir in the GAA world in September when it was revealed he would be leaving his position as Louth manager to fill the vacant Derry post.
While it was well known that Derry were looking for a successor for Ciaran Meenagh few would've predicted that the most decorated manager in Ulster football history would find himself in the job.
The move has came in for a lot of criticism with Derry All-Ireland winner Joe Brolly being particularly vocal in his opposition to Harte's appointment.
"What in the name of f**k," he tweeted in the immediate aftermath before following it up with a slightly more measured response the following day.
This is the worst thing to happen to Derry since the plantation
— Joe Brolly (@JoeBrolly1993) September 19, 2023
Despite the criticism Mickey Harte seems to be largely unbothered by the dissenting voices.
Mickey Harte responds to recent criticism
Speaking to Paul Keane in the Irish Times, Harte said that he wouldn't be trying any harder than normal to succeed.
“I’m not going to be reacting to anybody, either in Tyrone or Derry, because of what they feel or what they don’t feel,” he said.
“I’m reacting to a bunch of players that I, and Gavin Devlin and my management team, want to be responsible for helping to move their game forward. That’s my total goal.
“Really, people in the arena can say and be and do what they want, they’ve every right to feel whatever they want to feel. I just want to be involved in a sporting context.”
Harte went on to say that when he finished up as Tyrone manager in 2020 it was relatively straightforward to accept invitations from elsewhere which led him to manage Louth for three years before embarking on his latest challenge.
“I’ve spent 30 years with Tyrone and I’ve loved every minute of it. I gave my all for them.
“I always said that at a time when Tyrone didn’t need me or want me, and I was still interested in working at this level of football, then I would certainly go to someone who did want me. And that’s how I’ve ended up now where I’m going to be on the other side of the line to Tyrone.”
Harte and Derry could yet face the Red Hand in the Dr McKenna Cup but regardless of whether that transpires they are guaranteed to meet in Round 2 of the National League on February 4th in Celtic Park.
It will certainly be worth watching that clash on the day.
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