Johnston transfer saga ‘hurt GAA brand’

A member of the GAA’s management committee and Kildare’s representative at Central Council believes the Seanie Johnston transfer saga has damaged the association’s brand.

Marty McEvoy told the Kildare GAA County Board meeting in Newbridge on Tuesday night he believed the pressure put on the former Cavan Gaels star was unprecedented.

“As you all know I’m part of the management committee in Croke Park so I wear two hats,” he said.

“I represent Kildare but I also represent the association and this [discussion] has come up. I don’t wish to relay what went on at those discussions but I have to say, in this particular case, the rules were there, he [Johnston] followed the rules and his transfer was granted.

“Not by Kildare, not by myself or Ard Chomlairle but by a committee in Croke Park who are tasked with that transfer. I will also say now, and I’ve said it before on record, some of the requests made to that individual, and there is a human side to this, I think were completely above and beyond what was asked of anybody else who wished to transfer.

“I’m on record as saying that at management and I will say it here, some of the requests that were asked of him, there was no need for it. Unfortunately there is the view that the brand of Kildare has been damaged and I can see how you could have that view but I also believe the association itself has been damaged and unfortunately that has happened.”

He added: “He didn’t break any rules, the rules were there, he applied through the system and the transfer was granted, end of story.”

However, at the same meeting, Kildare Hurling Board chairman Eddie Lawlor slammed the decision to play Johnston in the first round of the county’ s SHC on Saturday to ensure his eligibility for the Kildare footballers this year, a decision he believes has damaged the profile of hurling in the county.

“We are trying to promote the game of hurling in the county and what happened on Saturday makes our job that much harder,” Lawlor revealed in a brief statement. “To say the clubs are very angry over what happened would be the understatement of the year. I have been inundated with calls from the clubs who are very, very unhappy with what has happened.“It is our flagship competition and no one should have come under that pressure, none of the clubs or indeed any individuals either.”