The county of Tyrone is united against everyone now. The famous 'siege mentality' has formed. 'Nobody likes us, we don't care' may have been the refrain of Milwall fans for decades, but the Tyrone supporters could belt it out now and no one would accuse them of having a persecution complex.
Now, Irish rugby legend and former international forwards coach, Willie Anderson, the man who famously went eyeball to eyeball with Buck Shelford in 1989 in a Haka response that has been aped many times over, has gotten stuck into the fray, telling the Ulster Herald that 'no matter what the sport it is they are always going to have a cut at the team from the North anyway.'
Not that Willie, born in Sixmilecross, is too upset by the treatment accorded to Northern counties, rather he sees the whole rivalry as brilliant.
Responding to the multiple hissy-fits over Tyrone's tactics, Anderson drew an eye-catching parallel with an icon from his own sport.
Mickey Harte will want his team to win at all costs, not necessarily by going outside the line but if it pales the line and he gets away with it, then fine.
The greatest rugby player in the world at the minute is Richie McCaw. Some referees would say he is illegal while others say he is completely legal. It depends on the law, on the referee and on which particular day.
Anderson and Harte have developed a friendship over the years, largely due to their shared interest in coaching. The former guided Dungannon to the All-Ireland League back in 2001. Anderson says that Harte will draw on lessons from one of his heroes, Alex Ferguson.
I know Mickey Harte is big fan of Alex Ferguson and there is degree of communication there.
There is no greater man at gamesmanship that Alex Ferguson. If Tyrone can use whatever means to psychologically disrupt the momentum of Kerry or put doubt in their minds, so be it. I think that’s brilliant for the sport. Bring it on.
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