Future requests for comment must go through the county board
JOURNALISTS have been told not to try to make personal contact with members of the Kerry senior football panel for the duration of the National League.
The Kerry County Board has issued a circular instructing reporters and photographers to refrain from making any direct contact with players and, instead, all requests for comment, interviews or photographs should be communicated to designated county board officials.
Kerry PRO John O’Leary said new media arrangements have been put in place following discussions held with senior team manager, Eamonn Fitzmaurice, following his return from the team holiday in South Africa.
Fitzmaurice and Kieran Donaghy – who has been nominated team captain for 2015 – will hold a press briefing in Austin Stack Park, Tralee this Friday evening in advance of the opening NFL encounter with Mayo.
If he is available to do so, the team manager will hold a press briefing on the Friday before each game in the league but he will not be available for interview outside of that, apart from in the immediate aftermath of games when he will be accompanied by a player at a brief press conference.
“From here on in, players are not to be contacted directly by media outlets. Requests may be channeled through the PRO,” Mr O’Leary said.
Team news, including injury updates, will be posted on the Kerry GAA website and team line-outs will be released to the media on the Thursday evening prior to each game.
Meanwhile, a venue in Longford has been confirmed for the Hastings Cup Invitational Tournament shield semi-final clash between Kerry and Monaghan.
The game will go ahead on Saturday at Keenan Park, Ardagh – the home grounds of St Patrick’s GAA club – at 2.00pm.
If they emerge victorious, Darragh Ó Sé’s side will face either Tipperary or Laois in the final.
