Mickey Harte joins the Irish News

[Our Nail Loney]

I don't know if anyone has raised this already, but I just wonder if The Irish News' decision to run with a Mickey Harte column each Friday might have had anything to do with the competition offered by The Gaelic Life on that same day.

For me, The Gaelic Life is now a must read every week.  It is easily the best publication for GAA coverage in Ulster by a country mile.  Might The Irish News have been under some pressure to give their own GAA coverage on a Friday a real shot in the arm with this new Mickey Harte column?

Either way, it is great that GAA followers in this part of the world are now spoiled for choice!

Dunno, I always end up getting both the Irish News and the Gaelic Life... Afraid of missing something...

[screenexile]

Dear god lads did anyone read that pile of drivel in this morning's paper? I think the man's away with the fairies. John Morrison only with superior tactical knowledge.

Ancient Indian quotes and a Buddhist parable? I don't think our Priest would be out of place using that article word for word in his Sermon on Sunday!

[SidelineKick]

Dear god lads did anyone read that pile of drivel in this morning's paper? I think the man's away with the fairies. John Morrison only with superior tactical knowledge.

Ancient Indian quotes and a Buddhist parable? I don't think our Priest would be out of place using that article word for word in his Sermon on Sunday!

Can anyone post the article? Remember I was giving off about his religious spoutings last week? Is this what we're in for every week?

[Muzz]

It's not about who's right – it's about what's right

THE amount of column
inches that have been
written about the
difficulties currently being
experienced within the
GAA family in Cork, in many ways
reflects contemporary society's
appetite for bad news.
I deliberately use the terminology
"GAA family" because that is
ultimately how all of us who are
involved in the organisation see
ourselves – part of one big
sporting and cultural family.
The corollary to that is that if
there is a problem with any family
member then we are all adversely
affected.
Perhaps the emphasis to date,
both internally and in the public
domain, has been very much of
the "blame game" nature.
Who's right seems more
important than what's right.
Like most prolonged and
protracted disputes, the energies
of those directly immersed in the
dilemma is problem-orientated
rather than solution-driven. While
the win-lose mentality prevails
there can only be one outcome –
we are all losers.
The blunt facts of the matter are
that the current impasse didn't
happen in an instant, it is a result
of a process of decline over a
period of time.
Is it not a little naive to expect a
perfect, quick-fix solution?
In any major conflict there are no
instant solutions, just pathways
towards a resolution. In the north
of Ireland, we are probably more
acutely aware of this phenomenon
in the context of the ongoing
peace process.
Indeed, the fact that the sports
minister Gregory Campbell of the
DUP, was able and willing to
welcome the Tyrone minors and
seniors, along with officials of the
Tyrone County Board and Ulster
Council to Stormont last Friday
evening, in recognition of 2008's
double All-Ireland, should act as a
significant indicator that things
which once seemed impossible
can, with meaningful engagement,
be achieved.
It is the stated position of the
chief protagonists in the Cork
dispute that they have the future
well-being of the GAA in the
county at heart.
The obvious question all involved
must ask themselves is: Is my/our
current position achieving that
aim?
If the answer is 'no' (and I don't
think it would take Einstein to
work that one out) then some new
thinking is required.
Ultimately that will create a
degree of discomfort for everyone
directly involved.
We are creatures of habit and, as
such, we don't always embrace
change, but without change there
can be no growth.
If all rival parties are truly genuine
about their concern for the
greater good of the GAA in the
county (and we ought to take
their positions at face value) then
perhaps one piece of unexpected
giving will be more constructive
than 10 statements of
self-righteousness.
An old American Indian saying
reminds us that "to truly
understand another human being
we must first walk a mile in his
moccasins".
All concerned must recognise
there are never any perfect
solutions to conflict situations.
'Solutions' that permit festering
are non-solutions. It's about
what's right, not who's right.
Sometimes there is greater
strength in flexibility. Invariably in
these circumstances, the focus is
solely on what each party stands
to lose.
The pressure to not lose face
supersedes all other (logical)
outcomes.
Is it not possible to be the
instigators of a new phenomenon
and actually 'gain face' by
communicating to connect rather
than defeat?
Ultimately, this necessitates
identifying what all those involved
in the current situation have in
common rather than what divides
them.
If this stance is adopted, then
personalities, and past and recent
historical positions and
perspectives, become secondary
to the key objective, which is a
fully participating Cork GAA
family.
Can the Cork County Board
continue with the current
arrangement? Of course it can.
Is it a constructive solution?
Absolutely not.
Can the 2008 panel of players
adhere to their current position?
Of course they can.
Will it serve them well
individually and collectively?
Definitely not.
The conclusion, therefore, is not
about who you are against in this
debate, but rather how you can
best serve, even in the interim,
the future well-being of the GAA in
the Rebel county.
IOF all people, given my own
past history of engagement in
disputes of a GAA nature, am
not suggesting that such lateral
thinking would be easily
embraced by any of those
involved at the coalface, but
sooner or later a lasting solution
will only come about in this way.
The Jesuit writer John Powell
gives us an insight as to how we
might deal with issues of conflict
when he reminds us that there
is 'my truth', 'your truth', and
'the truth'.
Yes it is difficult to leave words or,
actions, which we perceive as
hurtful behind us, but this little
story, related by Fr Vincent
Travers in his book In Touch With
God illustrates the value of doing
just that.
An old Buddhist monk was taking
a novice from one monastery to
another along the banks of a river.
The river was swollen due to
recent rainstorms and, as they
rounded the corner, they came
across an old woman who was
crying uncontrollably.
Her daughter, who lived on the
other side, was dying and she
though, because of the torrent,
she would never see her again.
The old monk, after consoling her
as best he could, resumed the
journey. There was only so much
he could do. After all, it was
forbidden for a Buddhist monk to
touch a female.
The young monk stood his ground
and decided he was strong
enough to carry the woman
across the river.
He duly picked her up carried her
across to the other side and set
her down.
When he got back, the senior
monk screamed at the young man
about the sacrilege he had
committed.
This tirade of abuse went on all
afternoon as they continued their
journey. The young monk's only
respite was when he went into the
woods to collect firewood.
When he returned the lecture
began again.
Eventually he could take no more
and said: "Stop! There is one thing
I don't understand about this. I
put the woman down on the far
side of the river this morning.
Why are you still continuing to
carry her?"
Perhaps there is a lot of old
women (baggage) still being
carried in Cork.

P.S. If anyone knows how to edit this so that it will display full page instead of columns - let me know :-)

[Fear ón Srath Bán]

Here you go lads, read it and weep  

It's not about who's right – it's about what's right
Mickey Harte


The amount of column inches that have been written about the difficulties currently being experienced within the GAA family in Cork, in many ways reflects contemporary society's appetite for bad news. I deliberately use the terminology "GAA family" because that is ultimately how all of us who are involved in the organisation see ourselves – part of one big sporting and cultural family. The corollary to that is that if there is a problem with any family member then we are all adversely affected. Perhaps the emphasis to date, both internally and in the public domain, has been very much of the "blame game" nature.

Who's right seems more important than what's right. Like most prolonged and protracted disputes, the energies of those directly immersed in the dilemma is problem-orientated rather than solution-driven. While the win-lose mentality prevails there can only be one outcome – we are all losers. The blunt facts of the matter are that the current impasse didn't happen in an instant, it is a result of a process of decline over a period of time. Is it not a little naive to expect a perfect, quick-fix solution? In any major conflict there are no instant solutions, just pathways towards a resolution. In the north of Ireland, we are probably more acutely aware of this phenomenon in the context of the ongoing peace process.

Indeed, the fact that the sports minister Gregory Campbell of the DUP, was able and willing to welcome the Tyrone minors and seniors, along with officials of the Tyrone County Board and Ulster Council to Stormont last Friday evening, in recognition of 2008's double All-Ireland, should act as a significant indicator that things which once seemed impossible can, with meaningful engagement, be achieved. It is the stated position of the chief protagonists in the Cork dispute that they have the future well-being of the GAA in the county at heart. The obvious question all involved must ask themselves is: Is my/our current position achieving that aim? If the answer is 'no' (and I don't think it would take Einstein to work that one out) then some new thinking is required. Ultimately that will create a degree of discomfort for everyone directly involved. We are creatures of habit and, as such, we don't always embrace change, but without change there can be no growth.

If all rival parties are truly genuine about their concern for the greater good of the GAA in the county (and we ought to take their positions at face value) then perhaps one piece of unexpected giving will be more constructive than 10 statements of self-righteousness. An old American Indian saying reminds us that "to truly understand another human being we must first walk a mile in his moccasins". All concerned must recognise there are never any perfect solutions to conflict situations. 'Solutions' that permit festering are non-solutions. It's about what's right, not who's right. Sometimes there is greater strength in flexibility. Invariably in these circumstances, the focus is solely on what each party stands to lose. The pressure to not lose face supersedes all other (logical) outcomes.

Is it not possible to be the instigators of a new phenomenon and actually 'gain face' by communicating to connect rather than defeat? Ultimately, this necessitates identifying what all those involved in the current situation have in common rather than what divides them. If this stance is adopted, then personalities, and past and recent historical positions and perspectives, become secondary to the key objective, which is a fully participating Cork GAA family. Can the Cork County Board continue with the current arrangement? Of course it can. Is it a constructive solution? Absolutely not. Can the 2008 panel of players adhere to their current position? Of course they can. Will it serve them well individually and collectively? Definitely not.

The conclusion, therefore, is not about who you are against in this debate, but rather how you can best serve, even in the interim, the future well-being of the GAA in the Rebel county. I of all people, given my own past history of engagement in disputes of a GAA nature, am not suggesting that such lateral thinking would be easily embraced by any of those involved at the coalface, but sooner or later a lasting solution will only come about in this way. The Jesuit writer John Powell gives us an insight as to how we might deal with issues of conflict when he reminds us that there is 'my truth', 'your truth', and 'the truth'. Yes it is difficult to leave words or, actions, which we perceive as hurtful behind us, but this little story, related by Fr Vincent Travers in his book In Touch With God illustrates the value of doing just that. An old Buddhist monk was taking a novice from one monastery to another along the banks of a river. The river was swollen due to recent rainstorms and, as they rounded the corner, they came across an old woman who was crying uncontrollably. Her daughter, who lived on the other side, was dying and she though, because of the torrent, she would never see her again. The old monk, after consoling her as best he could, resumed the journey. There was only so much he could do. After all, it was forbidden for a Buddhist monk to touch a female. The young monk stood his ground and decided he was strong enough to carry the woman across the river. He duly picked her up carried her across to the other side and set her down. When he got back, the senior monk screamed at the young man about the sacrilege he had committed.This tirade of abuse went on all afternoon as they continued their journey. The young monk's only respite was when he went into the woods to collect firewood. When he returned the lecture began again. Eventually he could take no more and said: "Stop! There is one thing I don't understand about this. I put the woman down on the far side of the river this morning. Why are you still continuing to carry her?"

Perhaps there is a lot of old women (baggage) still being carried in Cork.

Remember, it's only February

A word of caution is probably required ahead our game against Kerry at the weekend. The game between Dublin and Tyrone stood out insofar as the conditions in Croke Park were as near to perfect as you could get at this time of year. It was summer football in the middle of winter. But it would be a mistake to think that the remainder of the fixtures in the League involving Tyrone are going to be as easy on the eye as that game. We would do well in Tyrone to keep our feet firmly on the ground.

It's rare that two big games in succession live up to their billing. Needless to say, we will do our best to produce plenty of scores. There will be much speculation about this game, but there is no history to suggest that the result between ourselves and Kerry at this time of year has any bearing on what will happen later on in the summer. We may not meet again at all. People get carried away about Tyrone and Kerry. Lots of teams will be competing for major honours this year. We are just two of the teams that are contenders for the main award. At the same time, tradition and Kerry's recent form tell us that they are among the best.

Whatever team they put out will be a serious measure of the standard we have reached at this time.

[SidelineKick]

I have and did 

Again, makes some very valid points, looks like I'll just have to get used to the religious side of his preachings column. Or I could get someone to read it and censor it 

[ONeill]

Not being biased, but it's actually good stuff and refreshingly less cliched that 96% of journos.

[SidelineKick]

Not being biased, but it's actually good stuff and refreshingly less cliched that 96% of journos.

True. He actually does make sense.

[Will Hunting]

"At the same time, tradition and Kerry's recent form tell us that they are among the best. "

Kerry among the best? That's some real thoughtful insight! 

[Tim Buzaglo]

Best manager in the game. Serious gobshite though!

[Zapatista]

I really like his take on the Cork mess although I wouldn't be to keen on how he put it across.

[seamusthebard]

It's a pity that he didn't practice what he preaches when he split the Ballygawley club for ten years and remained intransigent to any form of thinking during that period.

[Tim Buzaglo]

It's a pity that he didn't practice what he preaches when he split the Ballygawley club for ten years and remained intransigent to any form of thinking during that period.

This is something i don't know much about - care to expand?  I was wondering what he was on about in the article when he referred to his history of disputes!

[Fear ón Srath Bán]

It's a pity that he didn't practice what he preaches when he split the Ballygawley club for ten years and remained intransigent to any form of thinking during that period.

Maybe he did, in the end.

[tyssam5]

Dear god lads did anyone read that pile of drivel in this morning's paper? I think the man's away with the fairies. John Morrison only with superior tactical knowledge.

Ancient Indian quotes and a Buddhist parable? I don't think our Priest would be out of place using that article word for word in his Sermon on Sunday!

You must have a good priest if your sermons are of that caliber.

I rarely darken the doors of the chapel myself, so I will take MH's spiritual guidance on a Friday.