Published Friday, 27 January 2012
Harte says his panel are looking forward to trying to beat their opponents in what is a repeat of last year's final.
He said: "It is obviously going to be very difficult, Derry and ourselves, there is not a lot between us any time we meet.
"We do remember last year's final, they raced away with it in the first half and we came back to get into a good position but they still went on and won the game."
They are the holders of the cup and we'd want to relieve them of it.
Mickey Harte
Harte said that the competition has a special place in the hearts of Gaelic football fans.
He said: "We believe in the McKenna Cup, it is a great competition and it comes at a good time of the year.
"It gives the counties a chance to develop their teams and gives the public something to get excited about.
"The teams that are in it are very interested in doing well in it and that means the people come out and they see a competitive game.
"We've seen competitive games right through our section, the semi final was very competitive and I'm sure the final will be, so that can only be good for the McKenna Cup and the Ulster Council," he said.
Derry forward Paddy Bradley said the Oak Leaf County panel were hoping to repeat the success of last year.
He said: "It's always very nice to get to another final.
"We won the McKenna Cup last year and it set us up for getting to the Ulster final last year.
"You can't beat playing games at this time of the year so its nice to be there," he said.
Attendance at this year's competition is up by around 40% from last year- thanks to the milder weather and the GAA's ticketing policy which has seen admission prices reduced to around £4 per person for block bookings.
Almost 9,000 people watched last week's semi-finals. Saturday night's final has a 7.30pm throw in at the Morgan Athletic grounds.