Kerry GAA chiefs defend closed door training policy

Kerry GAA chiefs do not expect a negative reaction to the decision to hold most of the county’s senior football trainings behind closed doors.

Yesterday, Kerry manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice published an open letter on the county’s website announcing the change to a long standing tradition of open sessions in the Kingdom.

County PRO John O’Leary has revealed that Fitzmaurice had the full support of the Kerry committee and revealed that sessions will no longer be made open to fans.

“The decision was taken in agreement with the county board and there were no problems,” he said.

“I wouldn’t expect there to be any backlash as a result of this. We have explained exactly what the changes are and why they are being made, and there is a lot of notice given.

“The open training policy will continue, albeit on a restricted basis, and it is hoped that on these nights that there can be more interaction between players and supporters.

“We’ll be announcing these nights in advance and they’ll be promoted heavily, so fans can come along and meet the players and get autographs and posters.”

In his missive, Fitzmaurice acknowledged supporters enjoyed attending sessions, and pointed out there is not a blanket cessation of open sessions.

“This summer, in a departure from tradition, we are going to close some of our training sessions,” he wrote.

“I want to explain the thinking behind this difficult decision. I understand that, for many, a trip to Fitzgerald Stadium on a summer evening to watch the senior team is a longstanding ritual and nothing more than a social gathering to watch the players being put through their paces.

“We will still have regular open training sessions to facilitate our supporters, both young and old and these will be flagged in advance on our Kerry GAA website. Our next open session will be on May 23.”

Fears that opponents could gain information on Kerry tactics, as well as a desire to make things easier for players, informed the decision, however.

“As manager my job is to ensure that the team work in the best possible training environment,” Fitzmaurice wrote.

“In recent years as the championship has become more and more competitive, the monitoring of training sessions has become very intense. It has, on occasions, become much more than harmless curiosity.

“The information that such scouting provides can make a difference. The new arrangements are designed to provide our players with the privacy and space to develop and improve over the coming months.”

Fitzmaurice is also hopeful that the county’s fans will accept the new method.

“I’m very conscious of Kerry’s tradition of open training sessions and I hope that you, our supporters, will understand the reasoning behind these arrangements which will hopefully yield the best results.

“I appreciate your great support and patience through a rocky league campaign, particularly when we lost four matches in-a-row. I hope that you understand this decision and continue to support the team as loyally as always.

“It is important that we all stick together for the forthcoming championship and the team will need our supporters every step of the way.”

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Barry John Keane has been left off the Kerry panel for the championship. The Kerins O’Rahillys man played in the county’s first three league games but was absent from the final four.