Former Louth captain O'Hanlon feels 'anger and betrayal' on Harte's departure

Seamus O’Hanlon hit out at Harte and his senior coach Gareth Devlin in his “The Argus”/”Drogheda Independent” column.

BETRAYAL: Former Louth captain Seamus O’Hanlon says he has been left feeling angry and betrayed by Mickey Harte’s departure as manager.

Former Louth captain Seamus O’Hanlon says he has been left feeling angry and betrayed by Mickey Harte’s departure as manager.

As Derry are expected to appoint the three-time All-Ireland winning boss this evening, O’Hanlon hit out at Harte and his senior coach Gareth Devlin in his “The Argus”/”Drogheda Independent” column.

“My initial feelings of dismay and disappointment were soon replaced by a sense of anger and betrayal,” writes the former midfielder.

“While I recognise the immense job of work that the Tyrone pair have undertaken, I can't help thinking about the many young players in that Louth dressing room and how they must be feeling. They've given their heart and soul to the project and now suddenly find that the rug has been pulled from underneath them.

“After witnessing Harte and his assistant, Gavin Devlin, at countless championship matches over the last few months, I'd assumed, like everyone else, that they were deep into preparations for the 2024 inter-county season. While the Tyrone men have enjoyed a steady, upward curve since taking charge in November 2020, they've continued to scout for new emerging talent at club games with up to 80 players featuring in the red jersey at various stages during the last three seasons. Ominously, there were no sign of them over the weekend just gone at the three intermediate games I attended.” 

O’Hanlon acknowledges Harte and Devlin were fully committed to Louth before their heads were turned by Derry but stresses Louth “was simply another job for them”.

He also points out Derry are All-Ireland contenders. “Mickey Harte will be 70 next year and maybe he senses his time as an inter-county manager is running out. He probably feels that, in the short-term, Derry offer a much better prospect than Louth of adding another All-Ireland title to his previous wins of 2003, 2005 and 2008.

“Thanks for your time and efforts Mickey and Gavin. We're in a better place now than when you found us. However, the timing of your departure is disappointing and not in keeping with the high standards we expected from you.”