MICKEY Harte’s 18-year reign as Tyrone boss could be coming to an end after the county’s executive committee turned down his request for a one-year extension.
That proposal was put to the county executive during a meeting at Tyrone’s Garvaghey headquarters on Tuesday night, but it is understood that they have instead opted to go through an appointment process.
That would require three-time All-Ireland winner Harte to be interviewed for the job he currently holds alongside other candidates – a course of action he appears unlikely to pursue. It is understood that, in the event Harte should seek reappointment, assistant Gavin Devlin would no longer be involved.
Among those whose names have been linked with the job are 2015 All-Ireland U21-winning manager Feargal Logan, Brian Dooher and Stephen O’Neill on the one ticket, while Collie Holmes – who guided Tyrone to the inaugural All-Ireland U17 title in 2017 – has also been mentioned.
Tyrone great Peter Canavan, who was part of that 2015 U21 managerial team alongside Logan and Dooher, last week ruled himself out of any role with the Red Hands while son Darragh is involved.
These latest developments come less than a fortnight after Tyrone bowed out of the Ulster Championship to Donegal, going down 1-13 to 1-11.
When asked about his future in the immediate aftermath of that defeat in Ballybofey, Harte replied: “I haven’t considered anything about that just right now.”
