McGeeney happy to be back on track

MATCH REACTION:The whole Seánie Johnston affair has left a bad taste around these parts. The Cavan people reacted angrily to the sight of their former marquee forward stretching his legs in Kildare gear yesterday.

The game was over as a contest when Kieran McGeeney sent his newest attacker onto the field for the last 10 minutes. It was 2-19 to 1-8 but it was like a one-sided six aside game between friends when someone yells, “Nil-all again, lads.” Johnston’s arrival reinvigorated the Cavan defence. Kildare forwards, too, endeavoured to get the ball into his mitts. “It gets inside lads heads and it was a distraction all week,” said Cavan manager Terry Hyland. “We can’t do anything about that. It was more of a media circus than anything else. That was probably always going to happen when Seanie came in.”

There was one more verbal slap from Hyland before departing the championship stage. “Good luck to Seánie, he’s a good footballer but he’s not an All Star and good luck to Kildare, they are progressing but they haven’t won any All-Irelands yet.”

McGeeney admitted: something similar after their poor showing against Meath. It came, however, with a sideswipe at the media. “The fellas had a point to prove but I don’t think they’ve sort of proved anything yet. I’m sure they’ll be reminded of it tomorrow. I think they’re being referred to as flat-track ponies or something. Again, it’s just down to working hard and go at it again. Everyone keeps saying we haven’t beaten any of the top four teams but if we did then we’d be All-Ireland champions. They’re the top four for a reason and we’re trying to break into that.”

McGeeney finds himself in a decent position. Those who malfunctioned against Meath showed well yesterday, while not starting Johnston proved the correct decision. “In fairness, Smithy had been going well, as had Tom in the inside line,” McGeeney continued. “Jimmers (Kavanagh) had been moving well as well. He (Johnston) still has a bit to go to dislodge them.”

Eamonn Callaghan is still to return, while Ronan Sweeney and Dermot Earley got more valuable minutes under their belts. If Kildare are to progress such experienced heads could prove very useful.