Council honours Mickey Harte with Civic Reception

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council recently recognised former Tyrone Senior County Gaelic Football manager, Mickey Harte, at a civic reception, hosted by the Chair of the Council, Councillor Errol Thompson at Kelly’s Inn, Garvaghey.

Mr Harte was joined at the civic reception by his sons, Mark and Michael and other family members and friends including members of his various backroom teams from his county career.

Speaking at the Civic Reception, the Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Errol Thompson, said:

“Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is delighted to have accorded Mickey Harte a civic reception in recognition of his service to the various Tyrone County Gaelic Football teams over the last 30 years, as manager of the Minor, Under 21 and Senior county teams.

Mickey is widely regarded as one of the most successful managers in Gaelic Football in recent times and his success with his native county across all age groups at provincial and All Ireland level is unrivalled. In his 18 years in charge of the Senior County team, Mickey delivered 22 titles, including most importantly 3 All-Ireland titles, bringing the coveted Sam Maguire Cup to Tyrone in 2003 for the first time.

His teams were renowned for their intensity and commitment and what was sometimes overlooked, a tremendous amount of skill and ability.”

Referencing Mickey’s influence on wider society, Councillor Thompson added;

“His pastoral guidance over the group of players in the face of various tragedies which befell them as a group, imbued them with a resilience which was to sustain them during their careers.

Mickey’s influence goes beyond football and into other spheres of society, as a teacher at St Ciaran’s Ballygawley, as a guest speaker and as a significant contributor to civic life across the island of Ireland. Through his books, he expands on the philosophy and spirituality which have guided not only his sporting career but also his approach to life in general.”

Concluding Councillor Thompson took the opportunity on behalf of the Council to wish Mickey well in his future endeavours.

Commenting on the recognition afforded to him on his success with the County teams, Mickey Harte said

“I would like to thank Fermanagh and Omagh District Council for hosting this Civic Reception for me and I am honoured to be only the second recipient of such recognition in the lifetime of this Council.

I am pleased to be recognised for my contribution to the many years of success which have been enjoyed by Tyrone GAA, it was a fantastic journey and one I will remember for many years. In hosting this reception, the Council is also recognising the impact sport can make on the lives and health and wellbeing of so many people, whether they are playing or celebrating the success of their team.

I am delighted to share this occasion with my family and close friends and I would like to thank my family for their continued support and particularly during my 30 years with Tyrone GAA”

Mr Harte was presented with a framed copy of a poem, ‘Glencull Waterside’, composed by a native of Glencull, Patrick Farrell prepared in a Celtic style by calligrapher and illustrator, Janet Millar of KisoArts.