[ad_1]
Mickey Harte ‘included’ in the Derry Girls mural
Mickey Harte’s name added to Free Derry Corner.
Credit: Ferry Clever
Mickey Harte’s appointment as Derry senior football manager has captured the attention of the entire county with the veteran coach ‘appearing’ on famous landmarks.
No sooner had the news been announced, photoshopped images of the former Tyrone manager began doing the rounds.
Fans took it upon themselves to anoint Harte as an honorary Derry man.. or Girl – as his face was photoshopped onto the popular Derry Girls mural beside the City Walls.
Derry-based greeting card company, Ferry Clever, were also quick to capitalise on the announcement, already revealing a ‘BraveHarte’ birthday card, in the style of Mel Gibson’s renowned 1995 film.
Credit: Ferry Clever
A fierce rivalry exists in GAA between Derry and Tyrone and the news of Harte’s latest appointment came as a shock to people in the neighbouring counties.
Former All-Ireland winner with Derry and outspoken pundit Joe Brolly summed it up in a tweet when he said: “What in the name of f***.”
As someone who never minced his words when it came to criticism of Harte, Brolly’s post was quickly followed by a second tweet saying: “This is the worst thing to happen to Derry since the plantation.”
Harte’s appointment came 30 years to the day after the Oak Leaf county won its only All-Ireland title against Cork in 1993.
While many fans were as gobsmacked as Brolly, they recognised that he could be the man to “take Derry to the next level” with the talented squad they already have.
Mickey Harte’s name added to Free Derry Corner.
Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan jokingly said: “He’s broken Derry hearts quite a few times over the years – please don’t do it to me again this year Mickey!”
Harte managed the Tyrone county team from 2002 until his resignation in 2020, at which time he was the longest-serving manager then active with the same team in inter-county competition.
He is the most successful senior manager in the county’s history, having led it to three All-Ireland SFC titles, as well as six Ulster SFC titles, one National League and twelve Dr McKenna Cups.
Considered one of the best tacticians in the game, Harte is admired both by peers and former rivals.
[ad_2]
Source link
