Harte’s fledglings ready to spread their wings
As a manager, Harte is at his best when he is at his most ruthless
Every now and again, and it doesn’t happen that often, a team on the cusp of bigger and better days will produce a performance which leaves a lasting impression on anyone who witnesses it.
It’s the day when everything fuses together, the game when individuals spread their wings and soar, the 70 minutes when the collective effort gels, and the teamwork appears seamless.
The Dr McKenna Cup final that took place in the Morgan Athletic Grounds last Saturday night felt like such an occasion.
Tyrone won the game by three points. But it was the identity of the players who repeatedly caught the eye which was of much greater significance.
As the game progressed there was a certain majesty to the way Michael Murphy took control of midfield. Trillick’s Mattie Donnelly, who had been misfiring in previous games, landed three points. Wing-back Cathal McCarron took two superb scores. Aidan McCrory marked Conleith Gilligan. In his previous outing, the Derry man chalked up 0-5 against Down. McCrory held him to a point. And from the dark recesses of corner-back, PJ Quinn used his mesmerising speed to launch several counter-attacks.
Unlike Tyrone’s previous four games in the McKenna Cup, it was the new Red Hands who were in contention for the man-of-the-match award.
This represented a major change as most of the newcomers were pretty underwhelming in the games against Queen’s, Antrim and Fermanagh.
From an outsider’s perspective, there was little to suggest that Tyrone were going to re-emerge as genuine contenders for this year’s All-Ireland title.
Not for the first time, it seemed like players who had flourished as minors were going to struggle in the senior ranks. The difficulty of breaking into the Tyrone team and cementing a position cannot be underestimated.
In previous years, Mickey Harte didn’t need to be that patient. He had a platoon of tried and trusted players who had won everything.
Any All-Ireland minor winning rookie that didn’t hit the ground running could be replaced with another All-Ireland minor winning rookie or with one of his battle-hardened soldiers.
Only a few players, the McMahon brothers, Mark Donnelly, and Peter Harte, have managed to make the breakthrough.
The vast majority cracked under the burden, and some extremelytalented players have fallen by the wayside.
Until quite recently, it seemed like Galbally’s Michael Murphy was going to be one of those individuals who had failed to deliver on his considerable potential.
When Tyrone lifted Sam in 2005, Murphy was the only member of the squad who didn’t come on a substitute. Due to his superb club form, Murphy was recalled to the panel last autumn. This time around Murphy has been given time to find his feet and has blossomed.
Clearly, some players just need that bit of time to acclimatise, and to develop the confidence that they belong in the jerseys once worn by Canavan, Dooher and McGuigan.
Mattie Donnelly was an excellent minor. An All-Ireland medallist in 2008, his selfless running was a key component of Tyrone’s attacking armoury.
Yet, it was evident that Donnelly was struggling to get into his groove when he played in the opening rounds of the McKenna Cup.
Due to retirements and injuries Mickey Harte appreciates that he needs to persist with players like Donnelly and he kept picking him.
Donnelly rewarded that patience on Saturday night.
As a person, Mickey Harte is widely admired for his compassion and loyalty. As a manager, Harte is at his best when he is at his most ruthless.
He normally only enters that sphere when Tyrone are on the back foot or when he feels that he has something to prove.
Resoundingly beaten by Dublin in last year’s quarter-final, questions were asked about Harte’s tactics and the fitness of his players. Suffice to say, the soundings from the Tyrone camp suggest that Harte’s teeth are bared for 2012.
In previous years Tyrone players were given the latitude to complete their strength and training programmes during their own time. That policy was scrapped. Realising Dublin and Donegal were in hard training from October the Tyrone players were in the gym long before the leaves had fallen from the trees.
During the McKenna Cup game against Antrim and Fermanagh, the normally impassive Harte, reacted in fury when he disagreed with the linesman over sideline balls. The signs are there.
Going by last year’s form, Tyrone have slipped out of the top tier. Dublin, Kerry and Cork have marched ahead.
Tyrone are playing catch-up. But judging by the evidence of Saturday night, they’re already making ground.
* p.heaney@irishnews.com
