Gareth Johnston quits as Longford senior football selector

The local link with the Longford senior football squad has been broken with the surprise news that Gareth Johnston has stepped down from his role as one of the selectors.

Ratified to join the manager Paddy Christie and the other mentors Dessie Sloyan and James Glancy on the management team at a County Board meeting at the end of August, the Rathcline clubman had decided to quit for what has apparently been described as a difference of opinion.  

Gareth is a vastly experienced coach and previously managed Longford Minor football teams in 2014 and 2021-22 before his appointment to replace Michael Kenny (Mostrim) as a selector with the county senior football management team.

With Johnston gone, the search is on to find a new local mentor. 

The Longford footballers start the 2024 season in the O’Byrne Cup quarter-final against Westmeath at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Saturday January 6.