Johnston as far away as ever from Kildare
Michael Mooney, chairman of Johnston’s home club, Cavan Gaels, said they had received correspondence from Croke Park confirming the decision.
“It’s nice for it to come to a conclusion and we can now concentrate on football and get him back in the squad,” said Mooney.
“Cavan Gaels always want to see the best players playing for Cavan Gaels and for the county.
“We definitely have no ill feeling, it was never an issue that he didn’t want to play with Cavan Gaels, he wanted to play county football and felt that he wasn’t wanted by Cavan.
“He trained with us recently and he was very welcome.”
The saga began on November 24 when it was revealed that Johnston, omitted from Val Andrews’ panel for this season, met withKildare manager Kieran McGeeney with a view to switching to the Lilywhites.
In December, Johnston applied to the CCCC requesting permission to play for Kildare without leaving his home club but that request was refused.
On January 12, he appeared before the Central Appeals Committee to appeal this decision but his plea fell through.
Later that week, he broke his silence on the matter explaining that he lived in Straffan, Kildare, though he was employed in Cavan town, 82 miles away.
Subsequently, Cavan GAA chiefs objected to the transfer due to doubts over the player’s permanent residency in Kildare. Johnston then appeared before the CCCC who quashed his bid.
It remains to be seen if Johnston will challenge the decision.
