TYRONE BOSS MICKEY Harte has defended Tiernan McCann after his controversial behaviour at the weekend.

McCann has come under fire after a blatant dive played a part in the sending off of Monaghan player Darren Hughes in the All-Ireland quarter-final.

Yet Harte says the player acknowledges he “made a mistake” after a storm of criticism came his way following Sunday’s match.

The coach says McCann is sorry for his actions, adding that he was a “fine young man”.

In an interview with the BBC, Harte added:

“On behalf of Tiernan McCann, I’m saying if he had the chance again, he probably would have responded differently. We all accept that.

“But I don’t think he’s the first person to ever have over-reacted to anything and I don’t think he will be the last.”

The coach also believes the player was not solely to blame for the incident.

“If the player who had raised his hand had chosen to do something different, then the outcome would have been different as well.

“I don’t think you can throw all the blame at Tiernan McCann even though he himself said he would do something different if he had the chance to do it again.

“That’s life. Young people make mistakes from time to time.”

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