Cavan manager Val Andrews has sensationally dropped star forward Sean Johnston from his squad in a move which has rocked the Breffni County, according to a report in today's Irish Daily Star.

Andrews, who was joint-manager along with Terry Hyland this year, has assumed full control for next season and has left Johnston out of his plans for 2012, while two-time All Star nominee goalkeeper James Reilly has also been cut from the panel.

Johnston's Cavan Gaels clubmate Michael Lyng is another big name which joins the list of omissions, as do Cian Mackey, Dermot Sheridan and Dublin native Gareth 'Nesty Smith, who was brought in by Tommy Carr in 2010 and played in St Oliver Plunketts' Dublin SFC final defeat to St Brigid's last weekend.

While the latter three had struggled to nail down a regular place in the team in 2011, Johnston's exclusion from the squad comes as a major shock, as does the omission of Drung net-minder Reilly, who has proved a hero for Cavan so many times in the past.

All six players were told in individual phone calls by members of the team management that their services were not required next year. Tweet

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