Peter Keane on...

Opening training to the public

“I CAN see why it was done and there is no question about it, I can understand why they did it. I don’t think it is hard and fast, but I would feel I wouldn’t be closing the gates all the time. There are times I wouldn’t see a problem with it. Does that mean the gates will be open (every) Monday or Tuesday? I don’t know. But I certainly wouldn’t have gates locked all the time. I am open to the idea (of letting supporters watch). I don’t see a problem, it served us well over many years.

“You look at the town of Killarney where Kerry predominately train and there is almost a tourism industry built around that. You’d often hear about people coming down from Armagh or other counties to watch Kerry training and stuff like that. Does that mean you bring them in all the time? Probably not. But there are times when I don’t see it as a problem to open them.”

How the Kerry team captain is selected

“IT’S your county champions who have the honour of appointing a Kerry captain and I fully respect that. With regard to the (minors), we had a rule change this year where manager, the county board chairman, and the district board chairman (of county minor champions) had a discussion. That’s a good thing, but I have to respect whatever decision comes from the delegates and the county board and the clubs.

“Would I like to see change? The way the game has gone, it’s a natural thing that you’d want to get your leader in there in the dressing room, and nominate your captain. But I am aware of what’s going on and the importance of it, and so if it doesn’t happen - the change - then it doesn’t happen.”

What his late father Tom would think

“THERE’S no question of doubt about it but he’d be out of his mind with happiness. He’d be like a balloon ready to burst. It’s a pity he wasn’t around for it, or even for the last three years with the minors. I was talking to my mother the other day and she said: ‘Wouldn’t he be in his element up and down the town at the moment?’ Caherciveen wouldn’t be big enough for him. He’d have to go further. He was a lunatic GAA man. I could picture him saying ‘there’s no point getting the ball if you can’t do something with it.’”

Is there a Peter Keane way of playing football?

“I REMEMBER being involved with a team once and some fellas asked me what way are you going to play? I said ‘how would I know, til I see what I have’. I might want to play a big full-forward and the biggest fella you might have would be 5’ 2”. I like football and I like seeing football played, an attacking way of playing. We will try to play football. Does that mean I will be allowed to do that at this level? Probably not.”

Premature death of Niall McGillicuddy

“THIS morning news broke from Killarney about a young fella called Niall McGillicuddy. He is a young under-16 player who played with Legion and would have played with The Sem (St Brendan’s College) last year and I would have been looking at this guy last year with a view to potentially playing with the Kerry minors this year in 2018, but most definitely playing with the minors next year in 2019. He got sick a few months back with leukaemia and passed away this morning. It’s very very sad, you know, to think that there was a young fella that you were looking at possibly when there was no talk of a senior gig or anything like that. It’s tough. That’s the predominant thought in my head all day.”