Updated 19.31
SEANIE JOHNSTON’S BATTLE to switch his inter-county allegiances to Kildare could be close to an end after the Cavan forward reportedly handed in an official club transfer request – though the club say he has not.
The 27-year-old looks set to finally join St Kevin’s in Staplestown from Cavan Gaels. Speaking to KFM this morning, Kildare manager Kieran McGeeney confirmed the move, which could pave the way for Johnston to join the Lilywhites if granted.
This evening Cavan Gaels tweeted: “We can offically confirm that we have not received any transfer requests from any player within club,or have we signed any transfer forms”.
Johnston has found himself at the centre of a protracted transfer saga since he requested a move away from his native Cavan, where he has fallen out of favour with senior football manager Val Andrews.
Although he captained the Breffni Men in 2011, Johnston found that he was surplus to Andrews’ requirements for the coming season and decided to try his luck elsewhere.
Despite Johnston’s insistence that he is now resident in Kildare, his request for an inter-county switch was rejected by the GAA’s Central Appeals Committee last week. However, a club transfer to St Kevin’s is likely to remove most of the remaining obstacles.
McGeeney has previously said that he would welcome Johnston’s move to his squad, though he warned that the forward would have to fight for a place like everybody else.
