Sporting figures rally to Mickey Harte on death of his ‘little jewel’

LEADING GAA figures in the North led tributes to Michaela Harte last night and almost every statement made special reference to the young woman’s love for her family and for the Tyrone team.

Tyrone players Philip Jordan and Sean Cavanagh wrote moving personal tributes to the young woman and also tried to offer words of support to their coach Mickey Harte and to her family.

“It’s desperate. We’re all in a state of shock. Michaela was Tyrone’s biggest supporter,” said Philip Jordan. “She never missed one training session. We as a team grew up with her and she grew up with us. She had such a role to play in convincing Mickey to keep going after 1997 when Paul McGirr died. If it wasn’t for her, Mickey might never have gone to become manager and what followed (three All-Ireland titles) might never have happened.”