I'm hungry for more, says triumphant Harte

Only 24 hours after his side was crowned All Ireland football champions, Tyrone boss Mickey Harte was tonight setting his sights on repeating the feat next year.

As thousands lined the streets of the Red Hand county to welcome back their heroes after yesterday’s thrilling 1-15 0-14 win over Kerry at Croke Park, the man who has masterminded three title triumphs in six years said he is still hungry for more.

As the team bus arrived in Aughnacloy with the Sam Maguire trophy on board, Harte insisted he had no intention of resting on his laurels.

“I’ve agreed to stay with the team for two more years and we want to do it again,” he said.

“It will be a challenge but we’ve got the players to do it. Down won it back to back in ’60 and ’61 and that’s what we’re looking to do – go out and win it again next year.”

The team were given a rapturous welcome in Aughnacloy as they began a slow drive through the county for a welcome reception in Omagh.

Harte said victory was just as sweet third time round.

“This one is distinctly unique but equally as wonderful and exciting as the other two,” he said. “It’s just another fantastic experience.”

Supporters packed the streets of the town as the bus wound its way past.

Among them was Anne Melligan, 50, from Beragh, who was still lauding it over her Kerry-born husband Dennis.

“It was such a great day for me,” she said. “We watched it in the local pub and the atmosphere was fantastic. As far as I’m concerned that was their best performance in the three finals. It was such an unbelievable game.”

Though slightly downbeat at the result, Dennis, 58, agreed with his wife’s assessment of the match.

“It was one of the best I’ve ever seen and I’ve been to a few,” he said. “But as I said to the wife, Tyrone only have the trophy on loan. It will be back with Kerry next year.”

Stormont Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has asked Sports Minister Gregory Campbell to host a reception at Stormont for the victorious Tyrone team.

“Yesterday’s famous win in Croke Park was Tyrone’s third All-Ireland in six years,” said the Sinn Féin deputy leader.

“It is a truly remarkable achievement for Mickey Harte and the Tyrone panel. It deserves to be marked with a Stormont reception.”

However, Democratic Unionist Assembly member Nelson McCausland said the GAA still has much to do to win the confidence of unionists in the North.

He said the practice of naming competitions, trophies or clubs after republican paramilitaries had to stop if the sport was ever to be considered inclusive.

“If other sporting organisations were naming grounds or competitions after dead loyalist paramilitaries, just how would political nationalism react?” he said. “There would be a hue and cry from all and sundry in the nationalist community.”