There is no doubt that Mickey Harte made quite a statement during his first league match in charge of Derry over the weekend.
Not only did he help the side to a victory over Kerry in Tralee, but the inclusion of three Glen players less than a week after their All-Ireland club final win indicated that his team would be going full tilt for the entirety of 2024.
He has inherited an incredible talented squad, one that looks primed to compete for an All-Ireland title over the coming months. Having come up short at the business end of the competition over the last couple of years, they will be hoping that the 72-year old can provide that final boost to get them over the line and win a first Sam Maguire since 1993.
Of course, Mickey Harte's move to Derry was a controversial one.
Not only did he unexpectedly quit his post with Louth, but his status as a legend with rivals Tyrone meant that the appointment did not sit well with many in both counties.
READ HERE: GAA Fans Baffled By Red Card Given To Tyrone Man In Win Over Roscommon
Peter Canavan hopes Mickey Harte is wrong about Derry premonition
It will be interesting to see just how much difference Mickey Harte makes to Tyrone come the latter stages of the championship, but there seems little doubt that he believes the team are capable of lifting the Sam Maguire.
That is a belief that quite a few people in Tyrone will hope is misguided.
Speaking on League Sunday, Peter Canavan said that there was no doubt that Harte felt this Derry side were in the mix to win an All-Ireland over the next couple of years. He also joked that he was hoping that his former manager was wrong.
"Mickey Harte seems to see something there in Derry... I just hope he's wrong!"
Tyrone great Peter Canavan is still having trouble getting used to seeing Mickey Harte in the Derry dug-out...
📺 Watch League Sunday on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player pic.twitter.com/tiYpWntQ2l— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) January 28, 2024
I think Sean [Cavanagh] made it clear that for a lot of Tyrone folk, they're still finding it hard to come to terms with the fact that Mickey is managing Derry.
I still find it hard to accept as well. Louth people are finding it hard, Tyrone people are finding it had, there's even a few Derry people finding it difficult to accept. They're just happy that so many Tyrone people are annoyed that Mickey is with Derry!
But look, he was entitled to do that. He still believes that he has a lot to offer, he still has that hunger and drive to carry on.
He believes that Derry will win an All-Ireland title, that's why he's there. It's obvious already that the Derry players have bought in to what he's trying to do. Otherwise, there was three Glen players that played last night, if they didn't believe in Mickey or the setup they wouldn't be there.
There are so many similarities to back in 2003 when he came into the Tyrone setup, one that was there or there abouts to win and All-Ireland and had the potential. He came in and he made sure that not only did we win one, but we won a number.
I think he sees something similar there in Derry. I just hope he's wrong!
Derry began their league campaign in an ideal fashion, with many fancying them to go on and win that competition over the coming weeks.
That would be an ideal start to 2024, although there is no doubt that their biggest tests will be coming a bit later in the year.
SEE ALSO: Colm Cooper Couldn't Resist Cheeky Mickey Harte Dig After Derry Win Over Kerry
