Harte has been phenomenal for the Red Hands, insists Kernan

TYRONE boss Mickey Harte has been handed a huge personal boost by one of his greatest foes of the past in the lead-up to Sunday’s All-Ireland final.

Former Armagh manager Joe Kernan and Harte went toe-totoe on several occasions, but never more memorably than in the 2003 All-Ireland final.

Armagh reigned supreme for the only time in their history in 2002, but Tyrone dethroned them the following year when Harte masterminded the first of three All-Ireland successes that were to come over the next six years.

Now, as Harte prepares to send his side into battle against what many perceive to be an invincible Dublin team, Kernan’s effusive bouquet of praise will put an extra spring in his step.

“It’s phenomenal what he’s done. He has kept changing his backroom team, kept freshening it up, which is what you have to do,” insisted Kernan.

“But Mickey will be there as long as he wants to be, he seems to have that drive.

“I know myself there comes a stage where if you haven’t the drive, the players know it, but the players obviously feel he still has it in him.

“They were beaten in four semi-finals, and to get to four semi-finals takes a lot of work. But I think this year they’ve learned from their mistakes.”

Kernan called time on his managerial career a little while ago and believes that Sunday’s All-Ireland final will be a clash of titans given the background of the competing teams.

“Dublin are favourites, but that doesn’t guarantee them anything,” he added.