Harte tells McGuigan to come home

MICKEY HARTE wants centre-forward Brian McGuigan back in the Tyrone fold as quickly as possible, making no secret of his unhappiness at the teenager’s decision to travel on to Australia this week.

McGuigan will play no part in the upcoming Allianz League and he admitted after Saturday's All-Stars game that he was very much in the dark about his possible involvement in the championship.

"I am going to play it by ear," said McGuigan, son of Tyrone legend Frank McGuigan. If I don't like it (in Sydney), I'll be back earlier. We'll see what happens, but I'll definitely not be home for the league."

Responding later, Harte commented: "I certainly want him back. He has been to every trial we had before Christmas and played in our three McKenna Cup matches.

"I hope that teases him enough to know that he shouldn't be in Australia that he should be back in Ireland as quick as possible."

On all sides there was agreement that the Hong Kong GAA club have done a good job in hosting the tour. Association president Sean Kelly remarked on the work put in to the preparations for Saturday's game.

"For that we are very grateful to them. It was a wonderful to have the Taoiseach present, along with ministers Micheál Martin and Noel Dempsey and their entourage.

"In many ways, it complemented what they were doing (on their trade mission to China). They were promoting Ireland in a business way and we were promoting Ireland culturally.

"The whole thing knitted in beautifully in the match here. We had a good competitive game, showcasing all the wonderful skills of Gaelic games and the players acquitted themselves admirably," he commented.

Yesterday, the players and members of the 104-strong party went horse racing at the renowned Sha Tin course.

This evening in Hong Kong, (10.30am Irish time), the GAA president is to brief the media on the changes in the experimental rules proposed by the members of the task force at their meeting early last week.