Harte rues missing chance to retain title

MICKEY HARTE likened it to being at the top of a hill ‘and being knocked down,’ when he talked about how if felt for Tyrone to again lose out on the opportunity of winning back-to-back All-Ireland football titles.

In 2004 they were defeated at the quarter-final stage by Mayo while in 2006 a build-up of injuries and a loss of form saw them exit the qualifiers at the second round at the hands of Laois.

Harte admitted: “It’s very difficult to retain the title as we all know. The only way you can achieve it is to be the champions, but it’s not easy to be the champions. So, therefore that knocks us back to square one. If we ever want to achieve that, then we have a long, long road to go.’’