Harte defends call-up of college players

TYRONE boss Mickey Harte has defended his decision to include college players in his Dr McKenna Cup squad, rather than release them to play for their university teams in the pre-season competition.

The treble All-Ireland-winning manager insisted that if a young player wants to break into the Red Hand panel, he must be in a position to display his talents.

The Ulster Council has ruled that the colleges should have first call on players for the McKenna Cup, but Harte feels he must have access to all his prospective squad members for the season ahead.