Mickey Harte looks back on happiness and heartache as his Tyrone tenure ends

Thirty unbroken seasons as Tyrone manager through minor, U21, and senior teams came to an end for Mickey Harte on Friday. As he exits the stage, Harte recalls a football journey that yielded All-Ireland titles, tragic deaths of players, and the loss of his daughter, Michaela

WHAT’S NEXT: Mickey Harte aims to improve his golf game and after that: ‘At the minute I have an open mind. I am quite spontaneous. I am here today, I could be anywhere tomorrow. If you ask my wife she would say the same thing. I just let days unfold and whenever things come up, I just go to them.’ Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

A sunny wintry day on top of Ballymacilroy hill. The front of Mickey Harte’s house affords a spectacular view of rolling drumlins. Hidden in a fold is St Malachy’s Church, where it all began and where he is still drawn to.

His father Peter came from Pomeroy to be the Sacristan here. Faith and family and football was their credo. His mother Mary washed the jerseys of the local St Ciaran’s club. They raised no fewer than seven boys who kicked football on the quiet meandering roads and polished their skills off a rough gable wall.