O’Connor recognises Harte’s achievements

JACK O’CONNOR has steadfastly avoided being drawn into making any critical comments about the manner of Tyrone’s win over Kerry two years ago and the style of play Pat Spillane notoriously described as ‘puke football.’

“You always look at things from a manager’s point of view and Mickey Harte was trying to win Tyrone’s first All-Ireland,’’ says O’Connor. “He wasn’t worried if the game looked pretty, or whatever. He got his men playing at a fantastically high level of intensity and that day the people of Tyrone weren’t worried how the game was won.

“I had great admiration for what Mickey Harte did. It’s always very hard to get over the line and win the first one. There’s fantastic credit due to him.”