As we all navigate life in the heart of rugby country, the 2024 intercounty GAA season feels a lifetime away. So fair play to Mickey Harte for dropping a bombshell on the GAA world Monday night when it was revealed that he'd be stepping way from his role with Louth to manage Derry next year.
The news came completely out of the blue. It was well-known that Derry were on the hunt for a successor to Ciaran Meenagh, but no one could have imagined Derry employing a manager already currently working for another county, let alone the most decorated manager in the history of Ulster football, let alone one of Tyrone's most famous sons.
It's fascinating, but daunting project for Harte and coach Gavin 'Horse' Devlin. They will head a Derry unit that were on the doorstep of reaching an All-Ireland final.
They did trojan work with Louth, bringing them to the cusp of Division One last year, three years after taking the reins of a Wee County languishing in Division 4.
However it was a job with little pressure or expectation. Managing Derry - who have an All-Ireland in them with right guidance - is a different kettle of fish.
Joe Brolly on Mickey Harte
The reaction in Derry has been pretty interesting. Joe Brolly took to Twitter last night to express his views.
What in the name of fuck
— Joe Brolly (@JoeBrolly1993) September 18, 2023
In case his feelings were unclear, the Derry great made his displeasure with the move pretty obvious with a follow-up tweet on Tuesday morning.
This is the worst thing to happen to Derry since the plantation
— Joe Brolly (@JoeBrolly1993) September 19, 2023
Brolly best summed up his own thoughts on Harte's managerial 'genius' during halftime of the 2017 All-Ireland semifinal, where Dublin trounced Tyrone 2-17 to 0-11.
'I don't think and I've never thought that Mickey's a tactical genius. You hear that phrase being used. It's a one-dimensional game plan that's very, very good against the lesser teams.
And this point will linger in the build-up to the 2024 Championship. Is Harte the man to drive Derry to the next level, or will they founder against the best teams in the country, as did Tyrone did when they met that great Dublin team of the last decade.
Louth statement on Harte's resignation
Harte's exit from Louth was extremely stealthy and confirmed in a statement released last night.
"Following a meeting of the Louth GAA management committee tonight (Monday, 18 September), chairperson Peter Fitzpatrick informed members of the committee that senior team manager Micky Harte informed him that he and senior team coach Gavin Devlin will be standing down from their role's with Louth GAA with immediate effect, and taking over with Derry senior footballers.
"Louth GAA management committee would like to sincerely thank Mickey, Gavin and his backroom team for their efforts in propelling Louth senior footballers into Div 2 football from Div 4 in 2020.
"They have shown professionalism, enthusiasm, dedication and continued courtesy over the last three years and we have enjoyed a positive working relationship with Mickey and his management team which concluded in the group stages of the All-Ireland following a first Leinster final appearance since 2010.
"Louth GAA would like to wish Mickey, Gavin and his management team all the best in their future endeavours.
"We will now immediately begin the process in seeking a new senior football team manager.
