There is speculation that Jerome Johnston Snr could step aside from his Ballybay joint-managerial duties for next Sunday's Ulster club SFC quarter-final against his native Kilcoo in Clones.

The Monaghan champions' impressive 2-11 to 1-9 preliminary victory over Crossmaglen last Saturday night has put Johnston in the difficult position of having to plot his own club's downfall. It also raises the prospect of him facing his sons Jerome Jnr, Ryan and Sheelan as well as his nephews Ceilum Doherty and Aidan, Aaron, Darryl and Niall Branagan. One nephew he won't have to face is last season's Club Footballer of the Year, Eugene Branagan, who is serving a suspension after being red-carded in Kilcoo's Down SFC final victory over Warrenpoint.

If Johnston opts to temporarily stand down, the Ballybay managerial duties will be left to his fellow manager Mark Doran, who was recently appointed as Clare's new coach.

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