Farrell urges end to Johnston saga

GPA chief executive Dessie Farrell says Seanie Johnston has been “living in a goldfish bowl” and needs to be cut a break.

Farrell confirmed the players body have not consulted with the footballer over his controversial transfer.

However, with Johnston possibly facing his native county with Kildare in Kingspan Breffni Park the weekend after next, he has expressed concern about the amount of coverage surrounding the former Cavan Gaels player.

Farrell hopes a line can be drawn under the matter as soon as possible.

“No, we haven’t spoken to Seánie but we have spoken informally to the Kildare management and to Croke Park around the issues as well.

“I am not going to get into the rights and wrongs of it because everyone will have different views on that.

“What’s of interest to us is the human interest story behind it all.

“For the last number of months Seanie Johnston has been living his life in a goldfish bowl.

“That has been particularly unfortunate. That can’t have been easy for him.

“I know people will forget the pressure that will be heaped on the individual and how he might react to that, and how that can affect him.

“So I think for everyone’s sake we’d like to see the story move on now and just concentrate on the football for the rest of the summer.

“Whatever people’s views on it may be, it’s done and dusted now and we’d encourage everyone to move on at this stage.”

Cavan, despite having home advantage, will be underdogs for the highly-anticipated game.

The second round qualifier has been fixed for a 3pm throw-in and won’t be televised.

Meanwhile, Kerry’s trip to Mullingar’s Cusack Park to face Westmeath has been scheduled for the same time.

In all, three of the eight second round qualifiers are down for decision on Sunday week with Laois battling it out with Monaghan at O’Moore Park.

The day before, Roscommon and Tyrone are first out in Dr Hyde Park at 2pm followed by Antrim and Galway in Casement Park an hour later.

Tipperary and Wexford clash in Semple Stadium at 5pm while the Leitrim-Wicklow and Longford-Limerick games throw in at 6 and 7pm respectively.