UNIONIST members of Derry and Strabane council yesterday joined in praise for former Tyrone GAA manager Mickey Harte.
The council has agreed to grant Mr Harte a civic reception after stepping down as manager of the county's senior football team earlier this month.
The move was proposed by Castlederg Sinn Féin councillor Ruairi McHugh, who outlined the triple All Ireland winner’s long roll of honour as a player and manager.
The proposal was supported by SDLP mayor Brian Tierney, who said the newly-appointed Louth manager has been a great ambassador for Gaelic games throughout Ireland.
“I know for a fact that many’s a man and woman in Tyrone went to their graves content in the knowledge they lived to see Tyrone win the coveted Sam Maguire Cup,” he said.
DUP councillor Ryan McCreadie also paid tribute to what he described as Mr Harte's “remarkable achievement”.
“We have absolutely no objections, just commendable and good will to Mickey Harte,” he said.
Mr McCreadie added that he hoped there would be “reciprocal tolerance” to the unionist culture.
Ulster Unionist councillor Derek Hussey also praised Mr Harte’s record and said as the grandson of hurler, he could respect what he had achieved.
“I have no hesitation in supporting Councillor McHugh’s proposal.”
