Mickey takes heart from team’s display after loss of Canavan
And, in dismissing the Kingdom they had dispelled a few myths about the team.
"We have all heard the stories, that the team could not play without Peter Canavan, that we did not have enough big men. Now, they have been laid to rest. They proved that without Peter they could perform. Peter knew that and Peter wanted that. That is the mark of the man, that he wanted us to win that game and show that we could deliver without him, which we did.''
Harte explained how they had 'used' the experience of the 1986 team to help them cope with their early lead.
"We heard that Tyrone had prepared for virtually everything that year except being six or seven points ahead!
"We knew what happened that team after they went ahead and we were determined the same thing would not happen us. That's why we resolved at half-time to ensure that it would not happen and it didn't.''
When Kerry had reduced the margin to four points (0-10 to 0-6) the Tyrone manager admitted to being concerned.
"We had got so many scores in the first half and technically, that was against the breeze. Here we now had the breeze and we were not making the scores.
"That was not very encouraging, but at the time what was encouraging was that the team was still working hard.
"We were still making it very difficult for Kerry to get scores.
"I felt that Kerry had got a few 'handy' frees at that particular period in the game, but the main thing for me was that the work-rate was still there. As long as that remained we were still in with a chance of completing the task.''
Harte expressed the hope that Canavan would be able to play, saying, "without his quality in the final and without him getting the opportunity to lead Tyrone, it would be a shame. You can be sure that we'll be using all means at our disposal to make sure that he will be fit.''
Meanwhile, the player who took his place in Sunday's game Stephen O'Neill is looking forward to the challenge of trying to win his place back in the attack.
"It's everybody's dream to be in an All-Ireland final. Now that we have got there we will all be hoping that we can do ourselves justice and get a result,'' he said yesterday.
Earlier in the season O'Neill had to cope with successive shoulder and ankle injuries.
"Watching the boys train, you felt you were missing out. It was brilliant to get back eventually, but there is so much competition for places that it keeps the other boys on their toes.''
O'Neill, who was first introduced as a blood substitute for Canavan in the 5th minute, admitted that he was surprised to be involved in the game 10 minutes later.
"It was a big blow for us to have him injured, but we knew we had to cope with that. We had to prove that we were not a 'one-man show' and we did."
He agreed with Harte that the most difficult stage in the game for Tyrone came ten minutes from the end, after Kerry scored three points without reply.
"I can tell you it was nerve-wracking. Luckily enough, we were defending well. We were working hard. We knew we had to get scores at the other end and luckily we have good forwards who can take their chances.''
Ultimately, it was all about putting in the type of effort they all knew would be needed if they were to finish in front.
"Mickey was saying that if we had to crawl on our bellies to get across the finishing line, we were going to do it and we ended up doing it.
"Armagh made their luck last year and they took their chances. They got what they deserved. Now we are going to try and do the same. We want an All-Ireland and Donegal and Armagh want the same. We know each other's play at this stage and we know what we can do. So, we have confidence in ourselves and whenever you do get that experience of playing in Croke Park it's a big help. These other teams had that experience, but we didn't.''
Meanwhile, Mickey Harte has no opposition to the Coca-Cola sponsored county SFC quarter-finals going ahead this weekend. The games were scheduled to take place a fortnight ago, but were called off due to concerns that some of the 17 county squad members involved might pick up injuries. "I gave my word to the people concerned, and I certainly won't go back on my word," he confirmed yesterday.
Holders Errigal Ciaran will have to plan without Peter Canavan for their clash with Donaghmore. Ryan McMenamin's Dromore take on a Dungannon team led by Gerard Cavlan, and Kildress face Killyclogher. Ardboe, with Brian McGuigan and Gavin Devlin on board, play Conor Gormley's Killyclogher.
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