Kildare explore Seánie loophole

Croke Park yesterday confirmed at the request of the Kildare County Board that Seánie Johnston will be available to the county’s senior footballers if he plays a club championship game for hurling club Coill Dubh at the end of the month.

Interestingly, Kildare had sought further clarification from the GAA about the criteria required for theformer Cavan footballer to become part of Kieran McGeeney’s summer plans.

In response to an initial query, Kildare had been told by the Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) that while Johnston’s transfer was granted under the old rule he was now subject to the new inter-county eligibility regulation.

That means the 27-year-old must first play a championship game for his new club. However, St Kevin’s next championship football game against Sarsfields is unlikely to be staged until Kildare have exited the championship. With possibly that in mind, Kildare officials had also asked whetherJohnston would fulfil such a condition were he to play for St Kevin’s affiliated hurling club Coill Dubh in a championship fixture.

The CCCC stated that he would.

However, Coill Dubh secretary and PRO Leonie Delaney emphaticallydismissed suggestions Johnston will line out for their hurling team to become eligible for the county’s footballers.

Coill Dubh’s senior trainer is Trevor Carew, brother of Kildare selector Niall, who is also a member of both clubs.

But Delaney believes people arereading too much into that connection and insists Johnston is unlikely to play for Coill Dubh against Eire Óg-Corrachoill.

“Seánie Johnston hasn’t been at[hurling] training and it’s just purespeculation that he will play,” saidDelaney.

“There are close links between the clubs but my own view is that it’s just other people’s desperation to see him play for Kildare.

“Our trainer Trevor is a brother of Niall Carew but it’s too easy to make assumptions.”

Delaney is also unequivocal in her opposition to Johnston turning out for Coill Dubh in just over two weeks’ time.

After last winning the Sean Carey Cup back in 2003, they are determined to add to their collection of 10 SHC titles.

“We’re a successful hurling club and wouldn’t want anything to reflect badly on that.

“We’re taking this championship very seriously. It hasn’t gone well for us in recent years. It’s been nine years since we last won it.

“The inclusion of Seánie Johnston wouldn’t be seen to help our case,” she added.

Last week, St Kevin’s vice-chairman John Noone also slammed the Johnston hurling rumours as“speculation”.

“The first I saw of it was on Facebook when some bright spark came up with the idea.”

However, he added: “The transfer has gone through for St Kevin’s and everything else is up to Kildare — that’s the way we’d be looking at it.”

Johnston played his first game for St Kevin’s in a Division 2 league fixture against Kilcock on Sunday when he kicked five points.