IT’S surprising that a father might be glad if his two sons miss a major final, but then Michael Johnston is in an unusual position.
The Down hurling boss is an Antrim man himself and sons Conor and Ciarán, who both still live at home, are both on the Saffrons’ senior squad.
Michael laughed when asked about any awkwardness at home since his Down side won through to the decider against the holders, who are aiming for a 14th consecutive triumph, and said: “Isn’t that the beauty of sport? Luckily enough, one of them isn’t available – and the other might not be.”
Ciarán is unavailable, suspended after his red card in the game away to Carlow which ended Antrim’s involvement in the Leinster Championship this year – and next, with the Saffrons demoted to the second tier Christy Ring Cup. The other son, Conor is currently on holiday in Portugal and Johnston said with a smile: “God knows, sure Conor could miss his flight, he might not make the final! He could have a dodgy plate of paella before he comes home. Stranger things have happened.
“It’s a unique position at home, but they’re in the opposition dressing room and I’m only concerned about what’s in the Down dressing room.”
Johnston recently strongly criticised Antrim’s direct passage into the provincial final in recent years, but insisted he hasn’t had any stick around his Belfast home: “My issue wasn’t with Antrim. The reality is that the Ulster Council constructed the competition in this way.
“The Ulster Council has downplayed the competition. It’s not Antrim’s fault that they’re sent straight through to the final.
“Certainly, for next year I would imagine the Ulster Council is considering an open draw. Armagh and Donegal will be in the Nicky Rackard, the other three [Antrim, Derry and Down] are in the Christy Ring together, so that will make life a bit easier.”
Another matter up for debate is the timing of the Ulster SHC, with Johnston saying: “We know amongst the various managements there are schools of thought about when you play it, whether it’s before the National League, or actually after the National League and before the Christy Ring starts because there’s quite a bit of a break then.
“Players want to play in the Ulster Championship, managers want to be involved in it as well, but there is tension between the length of time spent with the county and when clubs get to see their county men.
“These are genuine issues that need to be addressed, not just in Ulster but overall. It’s probably the key issue for any player, for club managers, and one of the key issues for any county manager”.
