On 15 July 2012, Sean Johnston made his debut for Kildare in an All-Ireland Senior Football Championship qualifier against his native Cavan, coming on as a substitute late in the second half and scoring Kildare's final point of the match. The substitution was regarded by many as a genius managerial move by McGeeney whose team were only winning by 16 points at the time. Some commentators recognise this move as the starting point for McGeeney's illustrious and successful managerial career which so far includes one under 21 Leinster title.