TYRONE FOOTBALL PLAYERS wore black armbands and the tricolour was flown at half mast at a GAA pitch to pay tribute to Michaela McAreavey yesterday. A minute’s silence was observed to mark the attendance of her father, Tyrone boss Mickey Harte – his first fixture since Michaela was murdered on her honeymoon in Mauritius earlier this month.

The tie between Donegal and Tyrone had already been postponed once in memory of Michaela. The schoolteacher is inextricably associated with the fortunes of the Tyrone team, having never previously missed a match day. When Mickey Harte led the country to All-Ireland victory in 2003, he would not give an interview until daughter Michaela was by his side.

Yesterday, Mickey Harte stood on the sideline at the Edendork pitch, supported by his football panel. After the minute’s silence, he walked to the dugout to a warm round of applause by both the Tyrone and Donegal supporters. The Irish News quotes an Errigal Ciaran club supporter, where Mickey Harte is based, as saying his return to football was very welcome. She said:

It’s very important that he is back today. He is a very brave man.

Mickey Harte later said that he intended to carry on as Tyrone manager, according to the Irish Independent.