THE GAA world was sent reeling last night following the news that Mickey Harte will take the managerial reins in Louth – with former Tyrone defender Conor Gormley insisting he wasn’t surprised by the Glencull man’s move.
It was only 10 days ago the legendary manager stepped down from Tyrone duties after 30 years of unbroken service. Harte had wanted one more year with the Red Hand seniors but his request was declined by the county board.
The 66-year-old three-time All-Ireland winning boss had intimated that he wasn’t finished with management – with Gormley commenting: “I’m not surprised because Mickey said last weekend he wouldn’t be reaching for the pipe and slippers just yet, so when he said that I suppose you thought there might have been something happening.
“I thought he might have gone as a selector under his son Mark at Errigal Ciaran, but fair play to him, he wants to keep going. The one thing about Mickey is he’s very determined and he wants to win. It’s going to be a different type of challenge for him now with Louth.
“But it’s bound to be a bit of a motivation for the Louth players and players will want to get on the panel too.”
Harte replaces Wayne Kierans after two years at the helm. Like many counties, Louth’s season was derailed by Covid19 as they dropped into Division Four.
Earlier this month, the 'Wee' County exited the Leinster Championship to Longford.
In an incredible twist of fate Harte – who will be joined by Gavin Devlin for a three-year term – will come up against two of his former players on the sidelines in Division Four now that Enda McGinley and Stevie O’Neill have assumed the reins in Antrim.
“With Enda and Stevie at Antrim and Mickey in Louth, it’s just a crazy set of circumstances,” Carrickmore man Gormley said. “There will be some focus on that match now.”
Asked what advice he would give to the Louth players who have worked under Ulster managers Aidan O’Rourke, Peter McGrath while Cathal Murray was selector in recent times, Gormley said: “What would I say to the Louth players? Listen to what Mickey has to say. He’s been there, done it, through good times and bad. Learn from him and go and enjoy playing under him.”
Meanwhile, long-serving Louth footballer Tommy Durnin couldn’t believe the news when it broke last night.
“It’s unbelievable,” said Durnin, a member of junior club Westerns.
“It’s absolutely great for us. You just want to get back into things now. I read the interviews with Mickey last week about leaving Tyrone and now he’s managing us. I don’t know how we got him - but we got him. It’s very exciting stuff.”
Former Louth manager Peter Fitzpatrick – who went desperately close to winning a Leinster title in 2010, only to be denied in controversial circumstances by Meath - assumed the chairmanship in his native county just this year and has been the shot in the arm the county needed.
Durnin added: “We heard a few rumours over the last week but the county board did well to keep that one quiet. It is just massive for Louth football and he’s taking the U20s as well which is great.
“Down here it’s been hard to get all our best players out with work commitments and family commitments and other players travelling, and also there is a big soccer-Gaelic football divide here too.
“But I think if Mickey rings any man around Louth the boys at the other end of the phone will be biting to play for him. It can only benefit the county.”
