In a major break with tradition, the majority of Kerry's training sessions will be held behind closed doors this year.

Manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice has written an open letter, published on the county's website, explaining the reasoning behind the move.

"I want to explain the thinking behind this difficult decision," he wrote. "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."

Fitzmaurice continued: "As manager my job is to ensure that the team work in the best possible training environment.

"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.

"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."

Kerry PRO John O'Leary informed the Irish Examiner that the county board backed the move.

"The decision was taken in agreement with the county board and there were no problems.

"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."

Meanwhile, Barry John Keane has been omitted from the Kingdom's squad ahead of the Munster SFC. Tweet

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