Mickey Harte's decision to take charge of the Derry footballers has stunned the football world.
The Tyrone native has signed a three-year deal with the county ahead of the 2024 intercounty season, taking charge after the departure of Rory Gallagher under a cloud midway through 2023.
Given the strong rivalry that exists between the two counties, the decision of former Tyrone manager Harte to take charge of Derry has raised eyebrows from both sides of the debate.
Former Tyrone star Owen Mulligan poked fun at Harte for jumping to Derry with a Rangers jab earlier this week, while Derry's 1993 All-Ireland winner Joe Brolly made it patently clear how unhappy he was with the decision. And, of course, Louth GAA have expressed their disappointment that Harte decided to leave his post in charge of the Wee County after an encouraging 2023 season.
Sean Cavanagh has now waded in on the contentious appointment of Mickey Harte in Derry, and likened his move to the image of Alex Ferguson managing a rival club after departing Manchester United.
READ HERE: Louth GAA Captain 'Knew Something Was Up' When He Got Harte Message
Sean Cavanagh stunned by Mickey Harte's move to Derry
Sean Cavanagh was a crucial cog in the Tyrone machine created by Mickey Harte in the 2000s.
The Moy Tí na nÓg midfielder won three All-Ireland medals during a 16-year career in the white of Tyrone, with all three triumphs coming under the stewardship of Harte as manager.
17 October 2008; Tyrone's, back row from left, Conor Gormley, Davy Harte, Mickey Harte, team manager, Brian Dooher, Philip Jordan. Front row from left, Enda McGinley, Tom Daly, Ulster Council GAA president, Sean Cavanagh, Justin McMahon during the GAA All-Stars Awards 2008 Sponsored by Vodafone. Citywest Hotel, Conference, Leisure & Golf Resort, Dublin. Picture credit: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE
His 2008 campaign was the pinnacle of his career, as he took home footballer of the year after Tyrone's third All-Ireland triumph in six years.
Much of Tyrone's' success during that period has to be attributed to the work of Mickey Harte in charge and, writing in his weekly Irish Daily Star column, Cavanagh said he was stunned that Harte would jump ship to one of the county's fiercest rivals:
I could never have imagined this happeneing.
The thought of Mickey Harte having a Derry crest on his chest is very strange. Maybe the world is changing and I'm being left behind.
Mickey wasn't a fan of Tyrone people coaching outside of Tyrone, I'm not sure I would be happy wearing an Armagh crest, a Derry crest, or a Donegal crest.
Growing up, I was always taught Derry were Tyrone's biggest rivals. It was always, 'Keep an eye on Derry.' They were one of the best teams in Ulster at that time. Itw was 'Forget about Armagh, forget about Donegal, forget about Fermanagh.'
Cavanagh went on to make two apt comparisons to sum up how jarring the image of Harte working with Derry would be.
He first referenced ex-Tyrone teammate Peter Canavan making a similar move, before conjuring up the bizarre image of legendary Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson taking charge of Manchester City:
It's like the thought of Peter Canavan playing for Derry.
This is a bit like if Alex Ferguson went to manage Manchester City after 26 years with Manchester United.
We're sure there is more to come in the Mickey Harte to Derry story yet - not least when the two counties meet in Division One of the National League early next spring.
SEE ALSO: 10 Counties Included As Ladies Football All Stars Nominees Announced
