We’ve drawn a line under Johnston saga, says Cavan PRO

Cavan PRO Declan Woods insist Terry Hyland’s team won’t be distracted by the prospect of former county player Seánie Johnston lining out against them with Kildare in the second round of the All-Ireland qualifiers.

The counties were pulled out of the bowls to face each other in yesterday morning’s draw with Cavan gaining home advantage.

The GAA’s Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) will today announce the times and venues for the backdoor fixtures with suggestions last night that the Cavan-Kildare game could be played in Kingspan Breffni Park on Sunday week with no live television coverage. Woods said they won’t get sidetracked by Johnston facing Cavan despite raising doubts about his transfer application earlier this year.

“We accepted the (CCCC) decision and a line was drawn under it. It has never been a distraction for Cavan during the league or the Championship this year. We’ve 30 to 40 players involved in our senior and junior panels combined and there’s a great bond there. That’s all we’re focused on. Seánie Johnston is a Coill Dubh hurler and a St Kevin’s and Kildare footballer and that’s their concern. We’ve no reason to focus on that and the panel are intent on doing the job on the weekend after next.”

Meanwhile, Kerry selector Ger O’Keeffe insists they will be giving Westmeath plenty of respect in their second round qualifier.

“Like all these things, every game has to be taken on its merits. We’ve learned from 2009 that we have to be tuned in for all these games. We had a difficult passage for the first three games back then and Westmeath had a good victory on Saturday.

“The one thing you can’t beat is games whereas we haven’t played since the defeat to Cork. But we’ve been training hard since then and we’re looking forward to it.

“But we’re in a new situation now and there’s no room for mistakes. We know our lot and it’s the start of a new year, really. There will be a partisan crowd in Mullingar and if we’re not right for it we’ll be caught.”

O’Keeffe confirmed Bryan Sheehan played in Kerry’s challenge win over Sligo in Rathkeale on Sunday and should be available for the game.

He also reported Saturday’s team fundraiser at Tralee greyhound track went well.

“We had Sky Sports there and there was a good crowd and we’d be happy with how things went. Money is needed to train teams especially when you’re on magical mystery tours like the one we’re on now. With games on Saturdays, players sometimes have to take time off on Fridays and the cost of that has to be looked at.”

Meanwhile, Kerry’s Paul Galvin expressed his disgruntlement with the wait between the defeat to Cork and the forthcoming Westmeath clash.

He tweeted yesterday: “Euro 2012 was played in 4 weeks. I watched it all & i’ll squeeze Wimbledon in too while waiting the 5 weeks it takes for me to play 1 game.”