It dates back to 2011…
RTÉ have said that Tyrone have declined an offer to take part in their All-Ireland Football Final coverage.
In a statement released on Monday, RTÉ said:
“Last week RTÉ Sport extended the same invitation to Tyrone GAA that it has to Dublin GAA, and all previous All Ireland finalists with regard to participation in RTÉ coverage across television, radio and digital platforms.
“This included pre-match, day of match at Croke Park, and post match interviews.
“Tyrone GAA have informed RTÉ Sport that the Tyrone management and players do not wish to participate in any such media activity with RTE and we respect that decision.
“RTÉ Sport will now continue with its planning and preparation and we wish both Tyrone GAA and Dublin GAA the very best of luck in the final.
“We will be making no further comment on this issue.”
Mickey Harte has refused to speak with RTÉ since 2011 after a comedy sketch on The John Murray Show mimicked the Tyrone boss just six months after the death of his daughter Michaela.
Harte also wrote a letter to RTÉ over their treatment of commentator Brian Carthy which was subsequently leaked to the media seven years ago.
Following this, the Tyrone county board issued a statement saying that Harte and his players would not be co-operating with RTÉ on the back of the letter and the subsequent radio show segment that followed.
“Due to the portrayal of the said letter, at least one other broadcaster within the organisation acted in a most insensitive manner in the choice of their programme dialogue in a morning radio show soon after,” the statement from 2011 read.
“Inappropriate references to the fact that the Tyrone manager Mickey Harte was associated with the Dali Lama conference in Limerick and the choice of the song ‘Pretty Little Girl from Omagh’ will give you an indication of the complete lack of sensitivity the presenter in question afforded the Harte family and Michaela’s husband John McAreavey, in what remains for them a very difficult time.”
