Mickey Harte joins the Irish News

[SidelineKick]

Oh right, build a bridge, BUILD. I thought he was bragging that he'd BUILT a bridge!

I do apologise for speaking against him. Maybe he should build a bridge and get over himself with regards to the International Rules.

Thats the hateful thing about opinions kicking mule, everyone has one, even me.

[SidelineKick]

I agree with SLK. Im from Tyrone but think its a waste of time MH writing for the IN as he is totally sitting on the fence every week. He talks about the same stuff over and over, i dont read it anymore.
Well played SLK!

Previously I would have had a go at him here and there, probably to get a reaction more than anything  but for a couple of weeks he wrote very good articles and I particularly like, and agreed with him on, the article with regards to the League affecting the Championship.

My comment this morning was a typical one from me I think, bit of a joke but serious at the same time.  The title suggests one thing yet he uses the whole 1st part of his article to get in another few digs at the IR.  Something that, if memory serves me right, he has done quite a few times since he began writing for the IN.  If nothing else its boring for everyone, hence the yawn remark.  I had higher hopes for his articles, they havent lived up to what I would assume would be most peoples' expectations.

[kickingmule]

Oh right, build a bridge, BUILD. I thought he was bragging that he'd BUILT a bridge!

I do apologise for speaking against him. Maybe he should build a bridge and get over himself with regards to the International Rules.

Thats the hateful thing about opinions kicking mule, everyone has one, even me.

including micky harte!!!

[Armin Tamzarian]

I agree with SLK. Im from Tyrone but think its a waste of time MH writing for the IN as he is totally sitting on the fence every week. He talks about the same stuff over and over, i dont read it anymore.
Well played SLK!

sure ride him why don't you

[SidelineKick]

Oh right, build a bridge, BUILD. I thought he was bragging that he'd BUILT a bridge!

I do apologise for speaking against him. Maybe he should build a bridge and get over himself with regards to the International Rules.

Thats the hateful thing about opinions kicking mule, everyone has one, even me.

including micky harte!!!

Of course he does, you're clearly missing the point. I'm giving my view on a gaa discussion board. He on the other hand is being paid to entertain the peopl that buy the IN. To me he is failing in this by writing about the same thing all the time. Anyone wanting to read about the Railway Cup would first have to read half the article and listen to him give off yet again about the IR. We know he doesnt like it, but he should give it a rest, even for a while.

[longball]

I agree with SLK. Im from Tyrone but think its a waste of time MH writing for the IN as he is totally sitting on the fence every week. He talks about the same stuff over and over, i dont read it anymore.
Well played SLK!

sure ride him why don't you

Will you ask him to go with me?

[Armin Tamzarian]

I agree with SLK. Im from Tyrone but think its a waste of time MH writing for the IN as he is totally sitting on the fence every week. He talks about the same stuff over and over, i dont read it anymore.
Well played SLK!

sure ride him why don't you

Will you ask him to go with me?

is this the beragh disco?

[SidelineKick]

I thought it was the Ardboe dance 

[kickingmule]

Oh right, build a bridge, BUILD. I thought he was bragging that he'd BUILT a bridge!

I do apologise for speaking against him. Maybe he should build a bridge and get over himself with regards to the International Rules.

Thats the hateful thing about opinions kicking mule, everyone has one, even me.

including micky harte!!!

Of course he does, you're clearly missing the point. I'm giving my view on a gaa discussion board. He on the other hand is being paid to entertain the peopl that buy the IN. To me he is failing in this by writing about the same thing all the time. Anyone wanting to read about the Railway Cup would first have to read half the article and listen to him give off yet again about the IR. We know he doesnt like it, but he should give it a rest, even for a while.

"you want to box" ..................... "lets box"

[SidelineKick]

Oh right, build a bridge, BUILD. I thought he was bragging that he'd BUILT a bridge!

I do apologise for speaking against him. Maybe he should build a bridge and get over himself with regards to the International Rules.

Thats the hateful thing about opinions kicking mule, everyone has one, even me.

including micky harte!!!

Of course he does, you're clearly missing the point. I'm giving my view on a gaa discussion board. He on the other hand is being paid to entertain the peopl that buy the IN. To me he is failing in this by writing about the same thing all the time. Anyone wanting to read about the Railway Cup would first have to read half the article and listen to him give off yet again about the IR. We know he doesnt like it, but he should give it a rest, even for a while.

"you want to box" ..................... "lets box"

Ok, but no kicking.

[Drumanee 1]

he's at it again i see,how much longer is the irish news going to put up with this one man crusade?seriously it's getting out of control

[full back]

he's at it again i see,how much longer is the irish news going to put up with this one man crusade?seriously it's getting out of control

What is it this week?

I am going to make a wild, crazy, absurd guess & say............................................the International Rules

Am I right?
What do I win, what do I win?

[SidelineKick]

he's at it again i see,how much longer is the irish news going to put up with this one man crusade?seriously it's getting out of control

Please tell me its not the International Rules.

[Drumanee 1]

you got it,questioning the gaa for making time for the international rules and his new pet project the martin donnelly inter-provincial tournament.

[Muzz]

Innovative thinking would be a real way to mark 125 Mickey Harte
By Mickey Harte
07/08/09


Bright lights: The floodlit opening to the National Football League – with accompanying fireworks to mark the GAA's 125th anniversary – proved a great success, and there is no reason similar treatment couldn't revitalise the Railway Cups As I alluded to last week we now have a glorious opportunity to re-ignite the inter-provincial series in both hurling and football.

While I am delighted that the hybrid encounter with the AFL is not taking place – I never believed it should have been a part of celebrating 125 years of the GAA –  it is incumbent on the GAA to seize this opportunity to properly celebrate a competition that has been an integral part of our games since 1927.

Celebrating 125 years of the GAA has been embraced by all sections of the Association, and the marketing of this milestone achievement has been most compelling.

Time had been set aside for the International Rules. It had been well-positioned in the calendar of events for this significant year.

Ironically, there was no such definitive positioning for the Martin Donnelly Inter-Provincial series.

Does anyone know when the inter-provincial football series was due to be competed for this year – this special year?

I have yet to read anything relating to this year's competition.

Indeed, there has been more media attention about the fact that the hybrid series is not taking place than any promotion of the Railway Cup games.

We will never have a better opportunity to begin the process of rebuilding the inter-provincial series to a status away beyond its halcyon days.

In 2007, there was an attempt made by Martin Donnelly, in conjunction with Eoin Conroy of Byrne/Conroy Consulting (a sports sponsorship activation company), to begin the rebranding of the inter-provincial series through a proposal to celebrate 80 years of the competition.

While a token gesture was made to embrace this innovative thinking with the finals played under lights at Croke Park, much of the rest of the enhancement blueprint was ignored.

The essence of the promotional recovery package was to begin a concerted media and marketing campaign from August through to the finals in late October.

The rebranding would involve Cumman na mBunscoil (an already proven partner in this area) sponsors, designated charity partners and the general public.

Cumman na mBunscoil have become indelibly linked with big days at Croke Park, and indeed throughout the provinces and counties and always have delivered schoolchildren to GAA events in significant numbers.

On the return to school in September and October many lessons would be incorporated around a host of subject areas (History, Irish, English, Geography, Maths, Art, Technology) relevant to the big event.

The involvement of a charity partner would introduce significant marketing and PR strengths and create a win/win environment where the awareness of the cause would be greatly enhanced and much-needed funds would be generated.

In the case of national charities, their financial share could be divided on a provincial basis, thus encouraging positive rivalry among the supporters which would add to the atmosphere at the finals.

This would provide an excellent opportunity for Martin Donnelly, who has been a most generous sponsor of the competition since 2001, to get some deserved recognition.

The creation of an associated website in conjunction with schools and charity involvement, in addition to a multi-media awareness campaign would create a 21st century template for the competition.

If the website was launched in September – coinciding with the return to school – all kinds of incentives and newspaper competitions could be initiated which would bring the competition to life for our younger members.

Those of us who remember the good old days of the competition could have teams of the '60's, '70's or before posted online and pick our team of the decade, or fantasy league opportunities for the younger generation.

The dialogue at the various levels would create an end-of-season event to compare with the now popular Allianz National Football League opener at Croke Park under lights.

This could become a major annual exhibition of all that is best in gaelic football and hurling, where young and old alike could enjoy the luxury and atmosphere that prevails in Croke Park on big match days – available at much more modest admission prices.

Families would be encouraged to come as a unit, youth teams could all be accommodated, schools and clubs could be twinned with similar groups from other provinces.

Advance competitions could be generated with prizes only as limited as the imagination of the collective PR departments responsible for the event.

Special mention on the big screen pictured in club/school/county colours, a chance to view the game from the Ard Comhairle in the company of the President or Ard Stiurthoir, or meeting the players in the players lounge afterwards as a family would afford many a unique opportunity otherwise never available to them.

As we celebrate 125 years of GAA development, it might be appropriate to create a special memento for every 125th person through the turnstiles.

We must remember that the spectacular events for the launch of the 125 celebrations in Croke Park, were the result of a dedicated team of organisers who had the full blessing and resources of all at Headquarters to assist them in making it all possible.

With a similar will and the full support of Cumman na mBunscoil, the designated charity/charities, print and broadcast partners and some additional sponsors, the GAA year can finish as it began in a blaze of glory, without a compromise in sight.

- In the swing: I was delighted this week to join club officials and sponsors from St Mary's, Killyclogher as they launched their golf classic, which will take place on Friday, August 21 at Omagh Golf Club. At the official launch, club chairman Donal Magee paid tribute to the main sponsors, O'Neill's International Sportswear and TC Autos Renault Dealers as well as to those who already sponsored holes. The cost is £120 per four-member team (ladies and gents) and attractive prizes are on offer including a round of golf at the prestigious Carton House. Further sponsors for holes will also be welcome. To enter a team and obtain a tee-off time please contact Peter O'Kane (07760330570).