MICKEY HARTE has criticised the GAA’s use of “language of war” in a bid to prevent supporters running on to a pitch after the game.

The Tyrone manager believes that far from banning the practice, authorities should facilitate it, ensuring people can join their heroes in an orderly fashion.

He has also accused the proposal to have all presentations in the middle of the pitch before the players embark on a lap of honour as “delusion”.

“The picture painted by those who want the practice ended is one that depicts complete mayhem,” said Harte in yesterday’s Irish News. “The implication is made that the majority of those entering the field to congratulate their heroes have actually walked over others to achieve this objective. Distortion or what?

“Even the language used to describe this phenomenon is aggressive as we now have a chairman of the GAA’s Pitch Invasion Committee (Con Hogan). This is the language of war and confrontation used to describe what is essentially an act of euphoria and celebration.”

Harte argues that it is natural for supporters to want to share in the success of their heroes, but also to blend with each other in a time of celebration.

“To suggest that a lap of honour would allow the players to connect with their supporters in a manner equivalent to looking down on them from the presentation area on the Hogan Stand is tantamount to delusion.

“I can’t understand why the whole emphasis is directed towards finding a way to ensure this public display of elation, now an integral part of final day celebrations, can be consigned to history.

“What if people were told they could enter the pitch to join in the team’s celebrations and that this would be facilitated in an orderly fashion? Surely this would defuse the situation and, while there would always be those few who wish to be at the head of the queue, the majority would happily abide by the controlled entry procedures.”

Meanwhile, Damian Cassidy has stepped down as manager of the Derry senior football team after two years in charge.

Elsewhere, John Tennyson has emerged as a serious injury concern ahead of Kilkenny’s All-Ireland hurling semi-final against Cork tomorrow week.

Tennyson, who severed the cruciate ligament in his left knee in 2007, limped out of Kilkenny’s training session last Wednesday evening with damage to the same joint. There are some fears the Carrickshock clubman has damaged the cruciate ligament again and the injury will be properly assessed once swelling around the area has subsided.

Finally, the GAA has appointed Seán Kilbride as the association’s new social initiative project manager.