VETERAN JOHNSTON’S ULSTER TITLE DREAM
SEÁNIE Johnston still hasn’t given up on the dream. The veteran, whose controversial flight to Kieran McGeeney’s Kildare project ended with him winning over the Cavan supporters on his return home, craves an Ulster medal. While the extent of his involvement in 2019 will rest with new manager Mickey Graham, what has kept a player going — after making his Cavan debut as a teenager — and is now in his 30s is simple: ‘Enjoyment. The team spirit is excellent. There’s really good morale in the squad, real good camaraderie. ‘And I suppose, being honest, it’s hoping to try and get to that Ulster final, try and maybe get an Ulster medal. That’s something I would always have aspired to, always wanted to achieve and haven’t been able to do it. ‘It’s something that I would love to do. I have a decision to make. Maybe management have a decision for me [laughs]. It could be a different story. I think that’s the main reason really.’ Bouncing back to Division 1 of the National League means that, at least, Cavan are well mapped for 2019, especially given the way the competition has become a marker for the Championship. ‘The All-Ireland winner is going to come out of Division 1 again next year unless something outrageous happens, but it’s very unlikely,’ he adds. ‘Last year we got back to Division 1 which is a bonus. We’re going to find out a lot more about ourselves in the next couple of months in terms of February to May or however long the League runs. ‘You have to be honest, there seems to be a top three in Ulster in terms of Monaghan, Tyrone and Donegal and then there’s the rest and we would like to see ourselves as the best of the rest. ‘I’m sure that’ll be one of Mickey’s main things, to try and break the stranglehold of those three teams and try to progress and stay in Division 1 and take part in Ulster finals.’