THE KILDARE CLUB in line to sign wantaway Cavan footballer Seanie Johnston say that they expect him to appeal the decision to block his transfer.
The latest twist in the long-running transfer saga came yesterday when the Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) ruled that Johnston is ineligible for a move from his home club Cavan Gaels to St Kevin’s in Staplestown.
Johnston has been angling for an inter-county switch to Kildare since late last year when he fell out of favour with Cavan manager Val Andrews.
A club transfer to St Kevin’s looked set to expedite that process until the Cavan County Board queried his claim that he is now permanently resident in Straffan, and it is understood that yesterday’s decision by the CCCC was taken on similar grounds.
Johnston now has three days to lodge an appeal with the Central Hearings Committee and then, if nccessary, can refer his case to the Disputes Resolution Authority.
Speaking to TheScore.ie this afternoon, St Kevin’s chairman Martin Murray said that the CCCC ruling was no big surprise and that he always expected the decision-makers to “pass the buck.”
“He’ll probably have to go down the road of the DRA,” Murray said. “That’s the way it’s going to finish up.”
Personally, I would hope that the DRA will overturn their decision.
Cavan Gaels chairman Michael Mooney told the Anglo-Celt yesterday that the club were happy to put the issue to bed and welcome Johnston back.
But Murray countered “misinformation” about Johnston’s seemingly imminent return to the Gaels, and said that he expects the forward to continue training with St Kevin’s on Sundays pending his appeal.
However, he could not confirm if Johnston will take part in a team bonding trip scheduled to take place this weekend.
