Harte welcomes back ‘different class’ McGuigan

Peter Harte claims Brian McGuigan is a ‘genius’ and his return on the eve of Tyrone’s championship opener has been warmly welcomed.

Harte’s uncle, Red Hand boss Mickey, sent out an SOS to McGuigan following a spate of injuries and the stylish half-forward duly obliged. McGuigan was one of six Tyrone legends who called it quits over the winter but hes returned ahead of Sunday's quarter-final. McGuiganyesterday confirmed he will rejoin the matchday panel after Sunday's game. Harte says the return of a player who missed the entire league and, by all accounts, the toughest pre-season in many seasons, hasn’t created any problems.

“Brian’s already given 15 years to Tyrone and you can’t imagine that anyone would ever question someone of his calibre coming back,” said half-back Harte. “He’s given everything there is to Tyrone.”

As for what McGuigan can offer the Anglo Celt Cup hopefuls, Harte predicted the three-time All-Ireland-winning playmaker will play a significant role through this summer.

“He’s a genius,” continued Harte. “I haven’t seen him play a full match yet. But I grew up watching Brian McGuigan and there’s nothing better than seeing him back. He’s a different class and he offers you something different every time you go out.”

The return of McGuigan has been one of the rare good news stories for Tyrone this season, on the personnel front at least. They achieved promotion from Division 2 but lost Kyle Coney and Tommy McGuigan to long-term injuries while Sean Cavanagh is the latest to be sidelined indefinitely.

“Yeah, that’s a great loss, Sean,” said Harte. “He’d leave a hole in any team in Ireland, never mind this Tyrone one.”

Harte has enjoyed an excellent league campaign as an attacking half-back and is destined to be a key player against Armagh on Sunday.

The attacking full-back is also relishing the prospect of emulating the Tyrone players who took part in the classic encounters of 2003 and 2005.

“Them games will live with you forever,” he said. “Just being to watch them and now to be able to take part in them, you just have to be very grateful and appreciate exactly where you are.”