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Mickey Harte Leaves Louth To Become The New Derry Manager

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Replying To WanPintWin:  "Possibly, but he no certainly had no issue with him as manager in any case. He actually wrote a very nice piece after Mullins' sad passing.
It makes his outrage over Mickey Harte due to him being an outside manager all the more hypocritical. It's clearly a personal issue he has with Mickey. It'd be more honest if he just came out and said it."
Yeah that's what I'd be thinking too. His reaction to Harte's appointment has been borderline hysterical. There's abviosuly some other agenda here.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9519 - 05/10/2023 14:38:37    2507061

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Replying To Wally:  "Jeepers, I must be really making you mad.

You have yet to properly or directly debate any of my very valid points. Instead you either change subject or turn to outright insults. That is why you are embarrassing yourself.

But don't worry. I am well used to this strategy from the 'Mickey can do no wrong' gang.

Don't worry. You don't need to reply."
valid points? what points. You or no one beside the manager or the board know what he is getting paid. Your whole debate is you live near the Derry border

Whestofthewest (Clare) - Posts: 177 - 06/10/2023 11:16:28    2507130

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Replying To Galway9801:  "I'm not sick of his "dribble", he's made more sense than you have on this topic imo, and you can't seem to get through a single post without making some sort of nasty remark."
he hasnt made one valid point. he is claiming to know what someone is paid when he doesnt have a clue like the rest of us

Whestofthewest (Clare) - Posts: 177 - 06/10/2023 11:17:35    2507132

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Replying To Whestofthewest:  "valid points? what points. You or no one beside the manager or the board know what he is getting paid. Your whole debate is you live near the Derry border"
Okay I will go for one more round. I am a sucker for punishment.

So I will list my points again. Can you please reply to each one in a direct and civil manner. Don't change the subject or resort to any kind of nasty insult regarding my user name.

1. Everyone on this forum knows about external managers getting paid. This has been a common theme in GAA discussions for years and has become a more serious issue over the past decade or so. I believe even you admitted this as a reply to different contributor. Therefore is it not reasonable to think that a man with the profile of Mickey Harte is getting paid? Especially in these unique circumstances were by he abandoned his current external managerial position at the last minute to go to a more successful county?

2. If you can be mature and agree that Mickey is getting some kind of remuneration package for his position with Derry, it is then a matter of your word against mine regarding how much. I should remind you again that this is a nameless, faceless forum, therefore there is no way that you can prove to know if, or how much Mickey is getting paid for his new role. I cannot provide proof of this either. There will be no official contract with the county board, as by its very nature the payment of GAA managers is extremely hush hush. But even if I had physical evidence, I could not present it here, either can you. My sources claim that Mickey's position is worth a huge amount in cash and this is has been the main incentive for him to take on the role.

3. If Mickey is not getting paid. Is it more or less of a moral issue? In my particular opinion, I think that if he is getting paid a large sum of money then the end justifies the means. He is getting older and the ability to make this kind of money is not going to last forever, especially if his tenure with Derry does not go well. But if he is not getting paid then he has chosen to manage his own county's most bitter rivals for nothing and he will have to train and plot the defeat of his native Tyrone for nothing. I cannot respect that at all. I could not see Jack O'Connor managing Cork or Jim Gavin managing Meath (especially if those counties were currently as successful as Derry). Do you think Mickey is right to undertake this role free of charge?

I look forward to your reply.

Thank you and good afternoon.

Wally (Tyrone) - Posts: 922 - 06/10/2023 13:27:26    2507155

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It is interesting to read the various comments regarding Mickey Harte's move to Derry from Louth. As a follower of a weaker county; I have a lot of sympathy with Louth as they were making great progress under Mickey and he seem to be committed to Louth over the next two years which offered continuity and by showing some ambition, Louth may have been able to compete with Dublin in Leinster. So, I understand why the county followers and board are massively disappointed. From Mickey's perspective; he moved to Derry as he (i) sees them as All Ireland contenders; which they are and he wants to prove he can win an All Ireland with a county other than Tyrone. (ii) he is being paid money, maybe more money than in Louth or Tyrone or (iii) both these reasons. Personally I think it is probably a combination of the two but more towards winning the All Ireland with Derry and proving a point to Tyrone for not keeping him longer. I do think he had probably outstay in time with Tyrone. The bigger question in all this scenario is - why are the GAA so willing to turn a blind eye to the amount of month being offered and paid to club and intercounty managers considering it is an amateur organisation? Is it only a matter of time before the GAA is officially recognised as a semi or full professional organisation.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2023 - 06/10/2023 13:57:28    2507162

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Replying To wicklowsupport:  "It is interesting to read the various comments regarding Mickey Harte's move to Derry from Louth. As a follower of a weaker county; I have a lot of sympathy with Louth as they were making great progress under Mickey and he seem to be committed to Louth over the next two years which offered continuity and by showing some ambition, Louth may have been able to compete with Dublin in Leinster. So, I understand why the county followers and board are massively disappointed. From Mickey's perspective; he moved to Derry as he (i) sees them as All Ireland contenders; which they are and he wants to prove he can win an All Ireland with a county other than Tyrone. (ii) he is being paid money, maybe more money than in Louth or Tyrone or (iii) both these reasons. Personally I think it is probably a combination of the two but more towards winning the All Ireland with Derry and proving a point to Tyrone for not keeping him longer. I do think he had probably outstay in time with Tyrone. The bigger question in all this scenario is - why are the GAA so willing to turn a blind eye to the amount of month being offered and paid to club and intercounty managers considering it is an amateur organisation? Is it only a matter of time before the GAA is officially recognised as a semi or full professional organisation."
I have no issue with anyone being paid legitimate expenses but when the line between expenses and being paid for work is blurred there lies the issue. If you're to believe the sums involved there's no way that sort of money could be put in an envelope and paid over. It would have to be done via a bank account. Of course the GAA should be scrutinised but surely it's also up to Revenue to take a closer eye to what's going on, if anything is 'going on' at all. At county level, the GAA should be more than able to get a handle of things. I think that's why you'll find that most transactions are happing online these days so there's an audit trail. There's no doubt when the 'biscuit tin' was on the go years ago, the GAA was far more susceptible to people dipping their hand in the tin for their own benefit...

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1025 - 06/10/2023 16:20:20    2507191

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Replying To icehonesty:  "A pretty bad appointment. Bray were very bad in his two years there."
In all fairness Bray must be bad. They last won a championship trophy in 1997.

Ollie2 (Louth) - Posts: 911 - 06/10/2023 16:57:43    2507193

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Replying To wicklowsupport:  "It is interesting to read the various comments regarding Mickey Harte's move to Derry from Louth. As a follower of a weaker county; I have a lot of sympathy with Louth as they were making great progress under Mickey and he seem to be committed to Louth over the next two years which offered continuity and by showing some ambition, Louth may have been able to compete with Dublin in Leinster. So, I understand why the county followers and board are massively disappointed. From Mickey's perspective; he moved to Derry as he (i) sees them as All Ireland contenders; which they are and he wants to prove he can win an All Ireland with a county other than Tyrone. (ii) he is being paid money, maybe more money than in Louth or Tyrone or (iii) both these reasons. Personally I think it is probably a combination of the two but more towards winning the All Ireland with Derry and proving a point to Tyrone for not keeping him longer. I do think he had probably outstay in time with Tyrone. The bigger question in all this scenario is - why are the GAA so willing to turn a blind eye to the amount of month being offered and paid to club and intercounty managers considering it is an amateur organisation? Is it only a matter of time before the GAA is officially recognised as a semi or full professional organisation."
Don't kid yourself… Louth had no chance of competing with Dublin and it would be foolish to think they would… Harte did great things there but was always going to move on when a bigger job came available… But this is a huge risk for him… Unless he delivers an All Ireland to Derry this appointment will be viewed as a failure… With Derry being back to back Ulster champions there is only one trophy that can now be delivered by Micky… the pressure will be on…!!!

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3029 - 06/10/2023 19:03:58    2507204

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Replying To wicklowsupport:  "It is interesting to read the various comments regarding Mickey Harte's move to Derry from Louth. As a follower of a weaker county; I have a lot of sympathy with Louth as they were making great progress under Mickey and he seem to be committed to Louth over the next two years which offered continuity and by showing some ambition, Louth may have been able to compete with Dublin in Leinster. So, I understand why the county followers and board are massively disappointed. From Mickey's perspective; he moved to Derry as he (i) sees them as All Ireland contenders; which they are and he wants to prove he can win an All Ireland with a county other than Tyrone. (ii) he is being paid money, maybe more money than in Louth or Tyrone or (iii) both these reasons. Personally I think it is probably a combination of the two but more towards winning the All Ireland with Derry and proving a point to Tyrone for not keeping him longer. I do think he had probably outstay in time with Tyrone. The bigger question in all this scenario is - why are the GAA so willing to turn a blind eye to the amount of month being offered and paid to club and intercounty managers considering it is an amateur organisation? Is it only a matter of time before the GAA is officially recognised as a semi or full professional organisation."
Has been semi professional for at least 25 years now

royler (Meath) - Posts: 277 - 06/10/2023 22:02:37    2507212

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Replying To wicklowsupport:  "It is interesting to read the various comments regarding Mickey Harte's move to Derry from Louth. As a follower of a weaker county; I have a lot of sympathy with Louth as they were making great progress under Mickey and he seem to be committed to Louth over the next two years which offered continuity and by showing some ambition, Louth may have been able to compete with Dublin in Leinster. So, I understand why the county followers and board are massively disappointed. From Mickey's perspective; he moved to Derry as he (i) sees them as All Ireland contenders; which they are and he wants to prove he can win an All Ireland with a county other than Tyrone. (ii) he is being paid money, maybe more money than in Louth or Tyrone or (iii) both these reasons. Personally I think it is probably a combination of the two but more towards winning the All Ireland with Derry and proving a point to Tyrone for not keeping him longer. I do think he had probably outstay in time with Tyrone. The bigger question in all this scenario is - why are the GAA so willing to turn a blind eye to the amount of month being offered and paid to club and intercounty managers considering it is an amateur organisation? Is it only a matter of time before the GAA is officially recognised as a semi or full professional organisation."
I

I wasn't going to post anything but now I decided to post my tuppence worth. The genuine Louth supporter doesn't seem to be overly perturbed about loosing out on Mickey's move to Derry, and rightly so as it's part and parcel of what modern gaelic football management is all about, as in musical chairs etc. especially at the highest level.

At the time Mickey signed up to Louth it was seen to be a major coupe for the Louth county board as they were at rock bottom in div. 4, almost straight away he brought them to div.3 then to div.2, a massive achievement in 2 years etc, etc, Mickey Harte achieved all this as he was tried, approved and trusted on the back of his national achievements, however, he now sees a chance and answers the call to try and get near Neighbours Derry national honour's at the highest level, but there are pit falls and risks awaiting him.

No time was wasted in signing up Mickeys replacement, in the form of Ger Brennan and good luck to Ger and indeed Louth.

Ger signed up with Carlow's senior football management (Niall Carew) but didn't last the full term, he left to go to Kildare's Moorefield's senior football club, Moorefield didn't set the football world on fire, so here he is.

I think it's a bigger ask to get Louth senior footballers from div. 2 to div.1 than from div.4 to div.2, especially with a manager on board with no senior football management experience at all. However, I do wish them all the very best of luck, as stranger things have happened.

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 3052 - 07/10/2023 00:13:31    2507215

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Replying To Square_B:  "I have no issue with anyone being paid legitimate expenses but when the line between expenses and being paid for work is blurred there lies the issue. If you're to believe the sums involved there's no way that sort of money could be put in an envelope and paid over. It would have to be done via a bank account. Of course the GAA should be scrutinised but surely it's also up to Revenue to take a closer eye to what's going on, if anything is 'going on' at all. At county level, the GAA should be more than able to get a handle of things. I think that's why you'll find that most transactions are happing online these days so there's an audit trail. There's no doubt when the 'biscuit tin' was on the go years ago, the GAA was far more susceptible to people dipping their hand in the tin for their own benefit..."
I don't know, maybe I am from an alternate universe or I have just been brought up in a dodgy part of the country. But do people honestly think these kind of cash payments are not made to managers. You genuinely believe this this kind of transaction goes through bank accounts?

Other counties may be different but in my part of Tyrone, houses are built mainly with cash, men are driving around in top of the range cars and these are paid for in cash. It is just a way of life. I honestly can't think of a tradesman's or most other self employed professions around here who accept anything other than cash.

I know the world is becoming a more cashless society but a large chunk of the most successful people I know still operate mainly with cash and are happy to get rid of a bit of this to pay for the new local management team.

I really don't think the sums I am hearing are beyond reasonable. On the contrary I couldn't imagine Mickey and Gavin taking this role for anything less than 6 figures.

Wally (Tyrone) - Posts: 922 - 07/10/2023 15:16:34    2507256

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Replying To Square_B:  "I have no issue with anyone being paid legitimate expenses but when the line between expenses and being paid for work is blurred there lies the issue. If you're to believe the sums involved there's no way that sort of money could be put in an envelope and paid over. It would have to be done via a bank account. Of course the GAA should be scrutinised but surely it's also up to Revenue to take a closer eye to what's going on, if anything is 'going on' at all. At county level, the GAA should be more than able to get a handle of things. I think that's why you'll find that most transactions are happing online these days so there's an audit trail. There's no doubt when the 'biscuit tin' was on the go years ago, the GAA was far more susceptible to people dipping their hand in the tin for their own benefit..."
You've a lot to learn about life still if you think that sort of money doesn't change hands in cash, especially around the border or up the North.

Past hurler (None) - Posts: 810 - 07/10/2023 18:01:34    2507267

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Replying To Wally:  "I don't know, maybe I am from an alternate universe or I have just been brought up in a dodgy part of the country. But do people honestly think these kind of cash payments are not made to managers. You genuinely believe this this kind of transaction goes through bank accounts?

Other counties may be different but in my part of Tyrone, houses are built mainly with cash, men are driving around in top of the range cars and these are paid for in cash. It is just a way of life. I honestly can't think of a tradesman's or most other self employed professions around here who accept anything other than cash.

I know the world is becoming a more cashless society but a large chunk of the most successful people I know still operate mainly with cash and are happy to get rid of a bit of this to pay for the new local management team.

I really don't think the sums I am hearing are beyond reasonable. On the contrary I couldn't imagine Mickey and Gavin taking this role for anything less than 6 figures."
Talk about misrepresenting my point. No one said that managers aren't getting cash, what I said it's not feasible that he's getting the level of money he getting (if it's to be believed) in an envelope. I mean what would he do with it if he was? MH isn't a tradesman... I very much doubt he has loads of people he can give cash on to... and he could never lodge it so what does he do with it? He certainly doesn't come across as a flash person. You'd have a hard time getting rid of the level of money talked about on the groceries... As far as I know he was a teacher so he'd surely be getting a pension from that and other income like the state pension. The point I'm making here is that it would be noticed and it wouldn't be hard for the taxman to suss out. Even walking into a garage these days with cash, you're asked questions. Certainly at club level most, if not all managers are being paid with the envelope as the sums involved are smaller but I don't believe that all county managers are being exclusively paid with rolls of 50's.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1025 - 07/10/2023 18:13:22    2507272

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Replying To Square_B:  "Talk about misrepresenting my point. No one said that managers aren't getting cash, what I said it's not feasible that he's getting the level of money he getting (if it's to be believed) in an envelope. I mean what would he do with it if he was? MH isn't a tradesman... I very much doubt he has loads of people he can give cash on to... and he could never lodge it so what does he do with it? He certainly doesn't come across as a flash person. You'd have a hard time getting rid of the level of money talked about on the groceries... As far as I know he was a teacher so he'd surely be getting a pension from that and other income like the state pension. The point I'm making here is that it would be noticed and it wouldn't be hard for the taxman to suss out. Even walking into a garage these days with cash, you're asked questions. Certainly at club level most, if not all managers are being paid with the envelope as the sums involved are smaller but I don't believe that all county managers are being exclusively paid with rolls of 50's."
Fair enough point. And I didn't intend to misrepresent what you are saying. I am probably getting a little a little frustrated with other posters who are being intentionally obtuse.

But look, it's won't all come in cash. Some will come through as 'genuine expenses', the manager and assistant manager will probably get a car from one of the main garages or car lease companies in the county and will still claim fuel regardless. Then some will come through as consultant fees for talks or appearances that they did and then the remaining large chunks will be paid in cash.

Border counties especially has no issue with a paying for their luxury items in cash and the tax man is a lot easier fooled up north.

Hopefully this explains my point a little better.

Wally (Tyrone) - Posts: 922 - 07/10/2023 21:34:07    2507298

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Replying To Past hurler:  "You've a lot to learn about life still if you think that sort of money doesn't change hands in cash, especially around the border or up the North."
If you think or are stupid enough to believe that 6 figure sums are being handed over to a manager in cash you've a lot to learn about anything.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1025 - 07/10/2023 22:28:04    2507304

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"If you can be mature and agree that Mickey is getting some kind of remuneration package for his position with Derry, it is then a matter of your word against mine regarding how much."

Yeah wally you wally, that is everyones point, it is your word and zero facts ffs

Whestofthewest (Clare) - Posts: 177 - 09/10/2023 13:52:21    2507568

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Replying To Whestofthewest:  ""If you can be mature and agree that Mickey is getting some kind of remuneration package for his position with Derry, it is then a matter of your word against mine regarding how much."

Yeah wally you wally, that is everyones point, it is your word and zero facts ffs"
Sigh.

The exact response I expected from you.

Wally (Tyrone) - Posts: 922 - 09/10/2023 16:42:58    2507612

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I see Oran Downey is on the verge of transferring to Antrim, after all the Downeys moved club. What was the reason for all of them moving across? If there was a fallout it must of been severe with all packing ship!

honda15 (Longford) - Posts: 94 - 03/11/2023 10:48:10    2511386

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Mickey doing a good job so far in Derry. Continued success to him. Wee were glad to have him for those few years

Shearer (Louth) - Posts: 885 - 19/03/2024 13:17:45    2532128

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