GAA: McGuigan hits out at Harte over player comments

Shay McGuigan makes a pass under pressure from Westmeath's John Gilligan.

In an interview with Orla Bannon in the Irish Star, Harte described players who had left the Tyrone panel during the 2015 season as a drain on energy.

“There is something about the people who stay and bide their time and have the patience,” Harte was quoted as having said.

“They [those who stayed] were probably the people who were going to serve you best in the long run anyway.

Mickey Harte lost in thought after the final whistle. INTT3515-701DCA

“The people who feel they’re not getting as much game time as [sic] they tend to be a bit of a drain on the energy of the group because they feel they should be getting more game time.

“That [energy drain] is not there and the people who are there have the patience to bide their time and grab the chances that come their way, then I think that is a better place to be.”

McGuigan, who left the Tyrone panel at the end of the 2015 National League campaign along with Paddy McNeice, Emmet McKenna, PJ Lavery and Dwayne Quinn, has now hit back at Harte.

Posting a message on his Twitter page this afternoon, McGuigan began by referencing the article: “Last week Mickey Harte made a statement about the players who decided to leave the Tyrone panel in 2015.”

He went on to write: “I hung on and hung on fully fit and injury free all year. Done all the pre season training from November and through the cold winter nights and to sit there seeing the same men week in and week out get there chance and see a player come back into the squad one week before the last league game of 2015 and get on before me just made my decision a whole lot easier...”

McGuigan continued: “When I seen the article last week it made my blood boil and has annoyed me since and that’s why I am posting this now. Cause I’m not going to sit about and say nothing and let him give his view.

“I busted my balls every week, even when I didn’t get on I never sat with a face on me nor did I huff and any Tyrone player could tell you that.”

McGuigan then addressed Harte directly writing: “Mickey Harte you are a great man and what you have done for Tyrone GAA is unbelievable, but do you know what else you’re great at... is DESTROYING A PLAYER’S CONFIDENCE.” [capitals added by McGuigan]