Harte calls for a return of semi-finals

TYRONE MANAGER Mickey Harte has called for the return of semi-finals in the NFL as a means of providing a more exciting climax to the competition. As things stand, many teams across all four divisions have little or nothing to play for going into the final round on Sunday week.

“I think we do miss the semi-finals,” says Harte. “That added an extra competitive match, plus allows four teams to stay competitive at that time. It seems a bit of an anti-climax that only the two top teams go into the final. Especially as we know already that it’s going to be Kerry and either Galway or Derry.

“The semi-finals only added one more day of football, keeps it alive for four teams right up until the end. And isn’t that what we’re about, playing games? I don’t get too worried about fixtures piling up, because I know the people out of the competition at that stage go looking for challenge matches anyway. And we’re better playing serious games than that.”

The semi-finals were dropped two years ago when the league format was changed to four separate divisions, as opposed to divisions One A, One B, Two A and Two B. Previously, the winners of One A met the runners-up of One B in the semi-finals, and vice versa.

Tyrone are one of those teams with little or nothing to play for in the current competition. They can’t make the final, although they aren’t yet completely free of relegation fears – and still need to beat Mayo in their last game to be sure to be sure of staying in Division One next year.

After that, though, all the focus turns to the championship – and Harte has also made a passionate plea that Tyrone’s Ulster quarter-final against Armagh on May 31st be moved from Healy Park in Omagh to Croke Park, which the GAA has made available should it be desired.

“I think it would be sad, if not ridiculous, if we don’t take up that option,” says Harte. “It’s nothing against county grounds or provincial grounds. But why should we have people clambering for 20,000 tickets for Omagh, or 33,000 for Clones, when we could comfortably get 50,000 into Croke Park? And I’ve no doubt that there would be 50,000 at this game. Plus, the players get the chance to play at Croke Park.

“What is there to fear? It’s going to cost to travel to Omagh anyway, for lots of people. The trip to Dublin is not that big of an issue anymore, and I think there would be a greater capacity for cheaper tickets, more family tickets.”

Harte is willing to surrender home advantage in order to maximise the occasion for everyone involved. Omagh holds just over 20,000, but it seems the Ulster Council would still be more likely to opt for Clones, which has an official capacity of 36,000.

The Ulster Council did move the 2004 provincial final between Armagh and Donegal to Croke Park, which attracted a crowd of 67,136 and the following year Tyrone played Armagh there twice, as the final went to a replay.

“This is about creating the best possible environment for our teams to play in,” added Harte. “We need to give every generation of player every opportunity we have to play in Croke Park. And that’s what the sport is about, generating atmosphere and giving people the best possible experience, both players and spectators.

“Imagine Croke Park lying idle on May 31st and 20,000 not getting to see this game? And the GAA needs to be about generating live attendances again.

“I hope that those who have the power will see it this way. It’s a Tyrone decision first. But if they do pass up on it then it becomes an Ulster Council decision. And I’ll do anything I can to get that game in Croke Park because that’s where it ought to be. But I don’t think we should pass up on Omagh to go to Clones. We should only pass up on Omagh to go to Croke Park.”

Harte also believes the GAA needs to revamp the championship in some way in order to give it a more ceremonious opening.

“The championship is crying out for a bit of imagination. Why should we be tied to things that used to be? If that was the case we’d all still be driving Ford Anglias. But we don’t. This is a different time, and we ought to bring new life to the thing.”

In the meantime Harte’s championship panel is taking shape. Brian Dooher is due back soon; Brian McGuigan is already back; and Justin McMahon, Joe McMahon, Enda McGinley and Stephen O’Neill are also over the worst of their recent injuries.

Eoin Mulligan is also likely to be extra fit for the championship as he is running the London marathon on April 26th to raise funds for Southern Area Hospice.