MICKEY Harte has dismissed the perceived financial advantage Dublin hold over Tyrone ahead of this month’s eagerly anticipated All-Ireland semi-final.
The Tyrone manager insists that to promote the notion that Dublin’s money is the main reason why they’re top of the tree would do a disservice to the sacrifices their management and players have made in winning
back-to-back All-Ireland titles.
Dublin GAA spent €1.5m – second to table-toppers Mayo (€1.6m) – on their county teams in 2016, while Tyrone were much further down the list at an annual spend of €484,127.
Smaller counties such as Sligo, Monaghan and Cavan invested more money than Tyrone last year.
The Dubs also have lucrative sponsorship deals with Aer Lingus and multi-national insurance company AIG, with the latter committing €2m over a five-year period, a deal which was signed in 2013.
Skins, Jack Jones, Subaru car manufacturers and Lifestyle Sports are among the companies that have linked up with Dublin GAA in recent years.
No other county, including Tyrone (sponsored by main backers Cookstown construction company, McAleer & Rushe), can compete with the financial deals Dublin can command.
“Dublin may have [more money] but I wouldn’t be too concerned with that, personally, because they were probably financially better off than most counties when they weren’t winning All-Irelands,” reasoned Harte.
“So I don’t think we can say one thing is the cause of another happening. I think they have worked hard at their game, they’ve brought through a lot of underage talent and they have nurtured this kind of set-up.
“Of course, the money that they have isn’t doing any harm but I don’t think we can say that it’s a financial issue that has them where they are.
“I think it’s a bunch of men who are very determined to be the best they can be.”
Harte (right) rejected the idea that the remaining contenders for this year’s All-Ireland title – Tyrone, Kerry and Mayo – have done well to keep up with the Dubs, who have won four of the last six crowns.
“No, I wouldn’t buy into that theory,” he said.
“I wouldn’t want to take away from them what they’re giving on the field and what their players are giving, what their management is doing. Yes, they may have more access to technology and all that, but technology is only as valuable as the time that people put into it.
“They’re still working hard at what they do. Their players are working hard at what they do. You’re not going to get stronger, fitter and faster because there happens to be a lot of money about.
“I have to respect them for what they do and not make money a factor. I think we have to go out and match what they do with the resources that we have.”
Like Dublin, Tyrone cantered to this year’s provincial title with plenty to spare, before both counties came through their respective All-Ireland
quarter-finals with Monaghan and Armagh with the minimum of fuss.
Tyrone beat the Orchard county by 18 points and Dublin eased up against Monaghan with 10 points of a gap by the end.
The bookmakers have Dublin heavy favourites (4/9) to reach this year’s decider, while Tyrone are rated 5/2 to get through to face either Kerry or Mayo.
