Ballybay opened their Monaghan SFC title defence with a 2-8 to 0-14 draw by newly-promoted side Corduff.
The defending champions held the upper hand nine minutes from time before a late goal saw Corduff claim a share of the spoils.
It was Seanie Johnston’s first championship game in charge of Ballybay, having succeeded namesake, Jerome Johnston.
The former Cavan senior football captain was keen to accentuate the positives after the game.
“They get a lot of men behind the ball. A lot of our preparation was to get ready for that” said Johnston.
“We kicked 14 points. If we had been offered that at the beginning of the game against a side that defend like that, you’d be very happy with it.
“Some of our attacking play was excellent. We got hit with two sucker punches of goals obviously, which is something we need to work on.
“But for long periods of the game our boys were heroic. In fairness both teams went at it.
“It was a real championship game, really intense. We got out of here with a point and we get ready again for next week.”
Managing a club in Monaghan is a new experience for the former Cavan star. Johnston is enjoying the experience, however.
“Honestly, I’m absolutely loving it. You couldn’t ask for a better bunch of lads.”
“To be honest it’s a joy to be involved with them, it makes my job very easy.”
Round two
Attention now turns to their second round, home encounter with Aughnamullen.
Monaghan star Dessie Ward and last year’s captain Eoin McKearney were both absent the last day, but Johnston is confident they’ll be fit for round two.
“The two boys are good, they’re making their way back. We would expect to have them both ready to play the next day, which is obviously a big bonus to us.”
