JEROME Johnston senior will play no part in Ballybay’s Ulster Senior Club Championship quarter-final against his native Kilcoo
The Irish News understands that Johnston – joint-manager of the Monaghan champions alongside Longstone clubman Mark Doran – made his decision known to Kilcoo and Ballybay when the draw for the Ulster Championship was made.
With his sons Jerome junior, Ryan and Shealan all starters for Kilcoo alongside his nephews the Branagan brothers, Johnston was faced with an impossible task and has understandably decided to bow out but is expected to return to the Ballybay fold should they knock-out the reigning Ulster and All-Ireland champions and progress to the semi-final stage.
He told BBC Sport NI: "Before I even met with Ballybay, it was made clear I couldn't coach against Kilcoo."
"I've had messages from both sets of players, messages that I value so much I cannot even explain. But, how could I manage against my own children?"
Ballybay versus Kilcoo was confirmed after the Monaghan club’s impressive five-point win over Armagh’s Crossmaglen last Saturday night. After recapturing the Armagh Championship with a commanding win over Granemore, Cross went into the game as favourites but Ballybay’s experience, tenacity and finishing power was too much for Stephen Kernan’s rookies at the Athletic Grounds.
Now, with Johnston absent, Doran will take sole charge of the Pearse Brothers for Sunday’s quarter-final at Clones. The former Down player was a valued member of Paddy Tally’s management team during the Tyrone native’s three years with Down and has gained a wealth of experience at club level.
Since joining Johnston at Ballybay last year, Doran has been a target for management positions in several counties including Antrim, Meath and Monaghan but opted to follow Tally to Munster where he will hook up with Banner county football doyen Colm Collins at second division Clare.
Kilcoo won their fourth county title on-the-trot and 10th in 11 years this year thanks to a one-point win over Warrenpoint after extra-time in the Down senior decider.
The Magpies needed penalties to see off Clonduff at the quarter-final stage in Down and, while they may not yet have reached their fluent best, the Conleith Gilligan-Richie Thornton-managed outfit is battle-hardened, ruthless and well-drilled and haven’t lost a championship match since the All-Ireland final of 2019.
The sides met in Ulster back in 2012 – Ballybay’s last experience of provincial competition – and the Down champions emerged with a six-point victory.
Backboned by experienced personnel including the Wylie brothers, Drew (who shackled Rian O’Neill impressively last Saturday night) and Ryan, Paul Finlay and Dessie Ward, Ballybay won their first Monaghan title for a decade when they dethroned Scotstown.
