MICKEY Harte says he trusts his goalkeeper Niall Morgan to pick the right times to advance with the ball to help build Tyrone attacks.
Throughout their successful Dr McKenna Cup campaign, the Edendork clubman has ventured forward with the ball in the same way Allstar ’keeper Rory Beggan has been doing for Monaghan.
“In the past, people took a sharp in-take of breath if the goalkeeper brought the ball past the 14-yard line,” said Harte.
“Generally, they would have been seen as “dangerous people” to come out with the ball. I think the modern ’keepers are very much aware that their game is about so much more. It used to be about stopping shots but it’s about so much more now.
“A goalkeeper has to be as complete a footballer as anybody else out on the field.”
The fact that Morgan plays outfield for Edendork is a significant advantage when faced with the chance of breaking out with the ball.
“If you’ve people confident and capable of doing that, then why not? Niall Morgan plays outfield for his club so he’s comfortable doing that. Not every goalkeeper is comfortable coming off his own line as he would be.
“Obviously Rory Beggan is comfortable there too because he does it with his club. It’s horses for courses. If you have a player that is capable of coming out the field why would you curtail it, as long as it’s done sensibly?”
Ahead of Tyrone’s opening NFL Division One fixture in Kerry, Harte admitted he wasn’t a fan of having to name a match-day panel of 26.
“A lot of players are challenging to be on the 26. I don’t even like the idea of 26; I think we should be able to pick from anybody that is fit and available.
“But it’s a case of: ‘Even though you trained hard, I can’t even allow you to put on a jersey to have any chance of playing today.’ I don’t think that’s good.”
