Jerome Johnston has confirmed he will step back as joint manager of Ballybay, ahead of their Ulster SFC quarter final against Kilcoo, saying that he could not manage a team against his own children.
Johnston's home club of Kilcoo features three of his sons at senior level, as well as six nephews on the extended panel. His Ballybay side have been pitted against his familial loyalties in the quarter-finals of the Ulster championship, and Johnston has made the decision to step back from his role for the match.
Ballybay v Kilcoo: Jerome Johnston to step back from joint manager role
Ballybay will take on Kilcoo in the Ulster SFC quarter finals this weekend without the influence of joint manager Jerome Johnston.
Last week, Johnston was on the sidelines for his side's win over Crossmaglen, after which he informed the team of his decision to step aside for the clash with his family club.
16 October 2022; Ballybay's manager Jerome Johnston during the Monaghan County Senior Football Championship Final match between Scotstown and Ballybay Pearse Brothers at St Tiernach's Park in Clones, Monaghan. Photo by Philip Fitzpatrick/Sportsfile
Given the amount of relations Johnston has on the Kilcoo team, he said he would find it too difficult to detach his emotions ahead of any game against the County Down champions.
Speaking to BBC Sport Northern Ireland, he revealed his reasoning for stepping back, saying that he had even removed himself from the team's WhatsApp group:
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?
I've built a great bond with the boys from Ballybay and I'm proud of them. I've stepped back, I won't be coaching Ballybay against my club and I've removed myself from the WhatsApp group.
I informed the players after the Crossmaglen game. It was emotional and I am torn, but I just couldn't manage against my own children. That was accepted when I took the job with Mark Doran and we got to work.
Johnston has made it clear he will return to his role at Ballybay next week if they are victorious against Kilcoo, but he will not even be in attendance for this weekend's quarter final clash.
Three of his sons, Shealan, Ryan, and Jerome Jr, will likely line out for Kilcoo, and Johnston could not bring himself to coach not only against his family, but against the club he played for and coached in previous years.
Ballybay will hope to progress against Kilcoo in Clones on Sunday - and if they do, they will have Jerome Johnston return for the Ulster SFC semi-final.
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