HARTE: YOU CAV TO BLOCK IT OUT
MICKEY HARTE says he pays no heed to criticism from any past Tyrone players and dismissed most of it as “a cheap shot”.
Retired skipper Sean Cavanagh (inset), who led the Red Hands to back-toback Ulster titles in 2016 and 2017, has been most vocal this year labelling his former boss as “autocratic” and insisted many top forwards in the county didn’t reach their potential because of the manager’s “defensive strategy”.
Harte has had the last laugh, guiding Tyrone to a first All-ireland final in 10 years. And at yesterday’s pre-match media briefing ahead of the showdown with Dublin he fired back at his former footballersturned-pundits and quipped: “It’s embarrassing how well they’re talking about us!
“Seriously, no, it’s not a big issue, it’s only big if you allow it to be.
“Everybody has their opinion and sometimes that opinion is solicited from them to make a headline, and I understand that.
“I learnt a long time ago that we really shouldn’t determine how well we feel ourselves by what somebody else says.
“That’s really handing away the power of your own well-being to somebody else.
“So let people make their comments and if they have substance to back it up, then I’ll appreciate it.
“And if they haven’t, I’ll recognise it for what it is – a cheap shot.”
Harte confirmed Conor Meyler is his only injury doubt after the knee injury the Omagh St Enda’s man picked up in the Super 8s against Donegal, which kept him out of the semifinal against Monaghan.
“Obviously he had quite a knock but the signs are positive he will be available for some part of this final,” Harte added.
Meanwhile Harte confirmed he’s happy to stick with the ban on RTE during Tyrone’s All-ireland build-up and post-match coverage.
The broadcaster, which has been boycotted by Tyrone since 2011, said yesterday its approach to Tyrone regarding All-ireland final coverage was turned down.