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Tyrone manager Mickey Harte after yesterday's game. INPHO/Cathal Noonan

Tyrone boss 'annoyed' at decision not to award free after Harte injury

Mickey Harte lamented the loss of Peter Harte and Stephen O’Neill in the first-half of yesterday’s clash in Croke Park.

MICKEY HARTE HAS expressed his annoyance that Tyrone were not awarded a free for the challenge that lead to Peter Harte having to limp off in the early stages of yesterday’s All-Ireland semi-final against Mayo.

Harte was forced off after suffering a pelvic injury in the 7th minute of the match in Croke Park when he came off second best after challenging for possession with Mayo’s Tom Cunniffe.

Couple with the loss of attacker Stephen O’Neill later in the first-half, Tyrone boss Harte lamented the absence of key figures.

“It was absolutely crucial and in particular losing Peter Harte, who’s new to that level, but was playing very well for us in the last number of games. He was going to be just instrumental in our game plan.

“What annoyed me more than anything was that he didn’t get a free for what made him have to leave the field on crutches.

‘There’s another anomaly if you like in the way we’re looking at this game through certain lenses. It was actually his pelvic bone, it got hit there, on his hip.

“And the nerve went right down his leg and he wasn’t able to go on. So that was most disappointing, when that happened to him.

“Then later on when Stevie had to to go. That’s two players at different ends of the spectrum but crucial to our performance on the day, and we lost them too soon.”

Harte also responded to the decision not to award Tyrone a penalty in the second-half for a perceived footblock by Lee Keegan on Ryan McKenna’s shot.

YouTube: Fintan O’Toole

Harte noted the difference in Mayo’s composure yesterday compared to previous encounters his team had with the county.

“They’re different. They had the composure. Coming in off huge wins, and finding themselves in a different position than they had been all year, they were able to keep themselves in the game.

“That’s a mark of the difference there is with them. Then when they got the opportunity to stamp their name on the game they did that too.

“Maybe in the past if they were under the cosh like we had them for the first 30 minutes they might not have had the resilience to come back and get that march on us before half time.”

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Pic: TheScore.ie

Harte also insisted that it was too soon to speculate on the future of Tyrone’s long-serving players like Stephen O’Neill, Pascal McConnell and Conor Gormley.

“Now is not the time to be speaking about imminent retirements, or putting that before anybody. Players are sensible, honest, hard-working people, and they know when the decision is to be made.

“But everyone needs time to reflect, then can make a better decision when they do. There won’t be any knee-jerk reactions.”

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Cillian O’Connor a major doubt for Mayo’s All-Ireland final clash

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10 Comments
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    Mute Gerry Campbell
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    Aug 26th 2013, 10:10 AM

    Hart was annoyed at what forced his player to leave the field on crutches, well the cause of that was he got hit fair and square by a hardier boy, and came out 2nd best. It must have felt like a belt of a ford fiesta, I felt for him but that’s the way. Sounds a little like sour grapes from the manager of a team famous for, softening up the opposition , if you dish it out… !

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    Mute Andrew S
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    Aug 26th 2013, 9:41 AM

    Even though Stephen O’Neill got a point from the resulting breaking ball..

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    Mute Gordon Glynn
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    Aug 26th 2013, 9:56 AM

    Exactly what I was thinking Andrew! And lets be honest, as hard as hit it was – it was 100% shoulder to shoulder. Hope no serious injury was done but no way a free.

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    Mute kieran lynch
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    Aug 26th 2013, 11:59 AM

    Micky Harte’s comments were taking straight after the game and they were made without the benefits of seeing the challenge on replay. Add to that just getting beat in an All Ireland semi final and just maybe your not going to get the most balanced view. As for sour grapes? There’s not one Tyrone man who wouldn’t say Mayo deserved to win. They have been the best team in the championship this year and good luck to them in the final.

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    Mute Who's Yer Man
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    Aug 26th 2013, 10:11 AM

    It wasn’t a foul. It was shoulder to shoulder, Cunniffe was on the ground as well. Mayo got lucky with that penalty too.

    Let the calls for a replay begin.

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    Mute Truth Patrol
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    Aug 26th 2013, 11:23 AM

    Two lads going wholeheartedly for the ball in fairness, never a free. Touch of sour grapes by Mickey, should be gracious in defeat. Thought he was better than that.

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    Mute Truth Patrol
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    Aug 26th 2013, 1:47 PM

    Red thumbs from the Red Hand

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    Mute The Plath Diaries
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    Aug 26th 2013, 1:06 PM

    Fair play to Mayo from the most blinkered/biased Tyrone supporter in the land!

    Was a good game, Croker looked amazing and the Tyrone lads did us proud. Total faith for 2014!!

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    Mute Katrina Locke
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    Aug 27th 2013, 11:32 AM

    Was no free end of…

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    Mute Michael Bullock
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    Aug 27th 2013, 11:26 AM

    People callin it sour grapes etc.. Wise up will ye! Manager is annoyed at 2 key players going off and it’s just after we get beat in the semi final! Would you be giving a happy interview in those circumstances?? Get off yer high horses ye muppets

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