Football

Mickey Harte happy with level of support from Tyrone County Board

Mickey Harte has declared himself happy with the level of support from the Tyrone County Board Picture by Philip Walsh
Mickey Harte has declared himself happy with the level of support from the Tyrone County Board Picture by Philip Walsh Mickey Harte has declared himself happy with the level of support from the Tyrone County Board Picture by Philip Walsh

TYRONE manager Mickey Harte has broken his silence on the controversy over the county board’s financial support for his squad.

Harte declared that he is happy with the level of backing, and grateful for the help received from the county’s various sponsors.

The issue was raised by an un-named Tyrone player, who sent an email to Dublin-based radio station Newstalk, criticising the county board’s cost-cutting measures, and claiming that squad members were being asked to contribute towards training gear.

But Harte said: “In spite of what has been reported over the last number of days, we deeply appreciate the support from all those that assist the team’s preparations.

Writing in the match programme for Tyrone’s weekend NFL clash with Ulster neighbours Monaghan, Harte added: “Any of our requests are facilitated by the county board and we remain thankful for the contributions of our sponsors McAleer & Rushe and O’Neill’s Sportswear, our brand partners Donnelly Vauxhall, Bank of Ireland, Deep River Rock and of course the ongoing work of the Club Tyrone committee, the Club Tyrone membership. We’re very grateful for their help.”

Last week, the team’s most experienced player, Sean Cavanagh, issued a statement denying claims that the squad was not well resourced by the county board.

A survey on the amount of money spent on county teams last year placed Tyrone 25th on the list, with a spend of €487,127.

However, plans have been announced for an extension to the Garvaghey centre, featuring a ‘Performance/Activity Hub’, which will facilitate all Tyrone’s strength and conditioning equipment and work.

Included in the facility will be a running zone for bleep tests and general fitness activity, as well as a multi-functional area.

It will also accommodate a variety of community activities, such as keep-fit, weight-loss, dance, pilates, yoga, rehabilitation and health promotion.

Garvaghey currently caters for more than 50,000 users per year, and that number is set to rise with the addition of the planned block at the rear of the building.

Meanwhile, county chairperson Roisin Jordan has apologised for the late postponement of the National Football League game between Tyrone and Cavan on February 26.

The match was called off just over an hour before the scheduled throw-in time due to a waterlogged Healy Park pitch, with the Cavan team and supporters from both counties already at the Omagh venue.

The curtain-raiser, an NHL Division 3A tie between Tyrone and Donegal, also fell victim to the weather.

“I wish to apologise for the late decision to postpone last week’s fixtures,” she said.

“The Omagh club went to great lengths over the course of the week to ensure that the pitch would be able to accommodate both the football and hurling matches, but unfortunately the inclement weather from mid-morning was such that it would not have been in the interests of player welfare to allow the games to go ahead. Sincere apologies to all those unduly affected.”

Saturday’s clash with Monaghan was also subject to a pitch inspection due to further heavy rain, and an early decision was made that the match could go ahead.