KERRY FOOTBALL MANAGER Eamonn Fitzmaurice has decided to hold some of his county’s training sessions behind closed doors this summer in a break from tradition.

In a letter posted on the Kerry GAA website, Fitzmaurice said it was a “difficult decision” and explained that there would be exceptions to the rule on occasion.

“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,” he said.

“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 23rd.”

He went on to explain that he made the decision in the best interests of the team, and said that rivals could potentially benefit if the side chose to continue to regularly train in the public eye.

“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.”

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