The decision of Eamonn Fitzmaurice to close the gates of Fitzgerald Stadium to the public for training sessions has long been lamented in Kerry, as it was when Jack O'Connor did the same in 2006.
Supporters would turn up in throngs to see Kerry train as the business end of the championship approached. The chance to glean any modicum of information about the Kingdom's form was of value. That information was, of course, valued by both those friendly to Kerry's cause and not so friendly.
Given the thin margins between top inter-county sides these days, open training sessions had to end. Even in interviews with the media players are unwilling to give much away.
In a Q&A session for AIB, Paul Geaney did give a little look inside the Kerry dressing room. Geaney did not provide much which will be of interest to Stephen Rochford ahead of this weekend's All-Ireland semi-final but he did disclose a nugget about the dress sense of a teammate.
According to the Dingle man, Stephen O'Brien is the worst dressed man on the Kerry panel. He also provided a story to further illustrate his point.
Stephen O’Brien. I’ll tell you a story: we were going back from the Sigerson in Galway after losing the semi-final and there was money put together so we could get some drink in Tescos for the way home. Stevo picked up a pair of jeans in Tesco and threw them into the basket, and wore them for two days after! I think he still has them.
Amusingly, Geaney was also asked about which Kerry player loves the media attention. Brendan O'Sullivan, who hit the headlines for unwanted reasons earlier this year - a failed drugs test due to taking a contaminated product - was his answer.
Picture credit: Sportsfile
