Harte fails to clear up Omagh pitch confusion

MICKEY HARTE did little to clarify his claim that Sky had requested the Healy Park pitch to be narrowed for last month’s Super 8s clash with Dublin.

Since then we have had an absolute denial from Sky that they made such a request regarding the Omagh ground.

St Enda’s club officers – owners of Healy Park – declined to comment when pressed if any such contact was made by the broadcasters.

That just leaves Harte, who could not have been clearer in the immediate aftermath of the Dublin game.

‘This narrowing of the pitch is nothing to do with me at all. That was a request from Sky, that they would like more clearance at the side for all their technology.’

‘There are people reading too much into that – a conspiracy theory, but it was nothing to do with that, it was a practical matter.’

However, it would be fair to say the Tyrone manager was less forthright when pressed on the matter last week, following Sky’s denial.

‘I think that was well spoken about in the days and week after the match and I don’t think we need to talk about it again,’ he tod reporters.

‘Did you get that answer? Good man. For me, that’s finished, that’s over and done with, I’m not talking about it any more,’ added Harte (above) when pressed a second time.

So what’s the big deal? Well, there isn’t one but when someone makes a claim on public record and it is contradicted, ‘not wanting to talk about it’ does not qualify as an explanation.

Something does not quite fit, although that is an accusation that could hardly be levelled at the county’s sponsors who just happen to be... Tyrone Fabrication.