Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
We’re going to work as a team
TYRONE DUO SAY THEY’LL TAKE HITS TOGETHER
FEARGAL LOGAN says he and Brian Dooher “will rise and fall together” after being unveiled as new Tyrone joint managers.
Logan led the county U21s to AllIreland success in 2015 with Dooher and Peter Canavan in his backroom team and now Logan and Dooher have added former Tyrone All-ireland winners Collie Holmes, Joe Mcmahon and Peter Donnelly to their coaching ticket.
Logan insists there will be no “boss” with the group taking collective responsibility.
“The overriding dynamic is that we rise and fall together, because that is the way you operate as players on a team and there is no real difference in the management team in that regard.
“It is a fairly collective approach. We see it as an every man on board thing.”
After Mickey Harte’s l ong and successful 18-year reign in charge, some have called the job a poisoned chalice for his successors.
But Logan and Dooher both admitted they could not let the chance to manage Tyrone pass them by.
Logan said: “People might say that but like most things in life somebody has got to take it on and we wouldn’t regard anything to do with Tyrone football in that way.
“Myself and Brian have been about it for a good while and we are picking up the baton and seeing if we can help the cause going forward.
“Tyrone have been at the top for many years now courtesy of Mickey and all the people who helped him.
“Now it is our turn to take up the baton and do our best.” Dooher admitted managing Tyrone was “not something I had planned, it’s just the way it’s worked out”.
“I suppose we were lucky to have success with the under-21 team and I’m looking forward to working with those players as well and finding out what else is out there around the county.
“After Mickey Harte who achieved so much, like what he achieved is amazing, it was a remarkable feat and what a remarkable legacy he has left.
“Now we have the opportunity we have to work with a very talented group of players and we want them to realise their full potential and see what other players are out there around the county as well.”
Logan and Dooher both name-checked returning AFL star Conor Mckenna who made a sensational return to gaelic football in October after a pro career in Aussie Rules.
They also have a large group of the under-21s they won the All-ireland with now maturing nicely as senior footballers, including Cathal Mcshane, Kieran Mcgeary, Mark Bradley and Lee Brennan among others.
The older players have played their entire careers listening to just one man voice, that of Mickey Harte, so will a new management team breathe new life into the whole set-up?
“Sometimes a change is as good as a rest,” remarked Logan. “Sometimes that can refresh things.
“We will bring our own particular qualities. We all remember Brian and his enthusiasm for hard work, but every panel changes, every year is different and hopefully it will all come together.
“Everyone was pushing in the one direction to go to the summit and I really believe people in Tyrone are ready to push this thing up the hill again.
“We have a long tradition, a proud tradition , so let’s give this a real good rattle.”
Tyrone have been at the top for a long time & now it’s our turn to pick up the baton..