Harte to Harte pressure

ONE of the more interesting asides to the clash of Tyrone and Laois in tomorrow's qualifier clash in Croke Park is that both Mick O'Dwyer and Mickey Harte have each had sons in squads they managed.

It happened in the past with O'Dwyer in Kildare and, it's a continuing scenario for the Tyrone boss.

Mickey Harte admits that at times it hasn't be easy. "I suppose Mark has learned to live with that and we have all learned to live with it," he says.

"Obviously, he comes under more scrutiny than any other player, but I have to say that when he gets the chance to play, he copes well with that pressure."

Mark's approach is similar. Playing senior definitely puts him more in the spotlight - especially after the success of the last two years - but, by now he is accustomed to it. That he is a free-taker helps him to cope with the pressure.

In the 1997 All-Ireland minor semi-final, he showed character in kicking an injury-time point from a free which earned Tyrone a draw with Kerry. In the replay in Parnell Park, he finished with 11 points from frees and one more from play.

Laois provided the opposition in the final, with a team including Joe Higgins and Beano McDonald, while team-mates of Mark included the late Cormac McAnallen, Kevin Hughes and Stephen O'Neill.

Mark was brought into the senior squad at the start of last year. He played at right corner-forward against Antrim in the Ulster final, but he got injured and a month's lay-off cost him whatever chance he had of a regular place.

"I suppose a lot's been made in recent times of the father/son thing. I've experienced it at minor and U-21 level, but I suppose there is more of a spotlight at senior level. With Tyrone's successes over the last year or two it has been highlighted, but that's just something you have to get on with."

Some, he suspects, feel he gets an easier time because of who he is. Equally, others feel he gets a harder time.

"I like to think that it's somewhere in between - that I get a fair crack of the whip. If I deserve to be there, I'll be there - and if I don't perform I won't.

"As far as I am concerned, I'm just another panel member. That's the way I take it. It's not a professional sport, but you almost have to see yourself in a professional relationship."

He has proven his ability as a free-taker by converting several penalties this year. One was in the Ulster quarter-final against Fermanagh, another in the League game against Mayo in Castlebar, the first game played without Cormac McAnallen.

"That day, the result was secondary. It was just a matter of getting the show back on the road. We'll never be the same without Cormac, such was his presence and the influence that he had on all of us."

If you're a penalty kicker, you're talking about real pressure - all the more so in Mark's case.

"You definitely do - if you have that at the back of your mind, it could really blow your concentration. You really have to switch off from all of that. When you put on the Tyrone jersey you're trying to win for your team-mates, for your management and the county. If you are under pressure, so be it."

As big a disappointment as it was to lose their Ulster title, he doesn't question the merit of Donegal's victory. "They had the bit between their teeth and played with a hunger and togetherness that we couldn't match on the day. Five or six years ago that would have been the end of our championship and the season would be over. But, the back door gives teams a second chance and it's all about taking that chance.

"I really do believe that if you're beaten twice in the championship, you don't deserve to be there. There's so little between the teams and they are training so hard pre-season that everyone deserves the second chance.

"We're under no illusions about the task facing us. Laois are going to be hurting from their defeat in the Leinster final and they'll be gunning for us."

Harte reckons Tyrone weren't 'overly convincing' in the wins over Galway and Down. "It took us a long time to really stamp our authority on those games. Sometimes when you're winning, it's a case of papering over the cracks. We still haven't reached the dizzy heights of last year ... Whether or not we get there is another thing, but hopefully if things go according to plan on Sunday, we can go one step closer."