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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Robert Hynes

Lee Keegan labels GAA media situation "a bit of a farce" and wants to see players and managers speak more

Lee Keegan has described the GAA media situation as "a bit of a farce" and says he wants to see players and managers speak to outlets more often going forward.

The situation has gradually got worse and worse in recent years and is now at a stage where numerous managers and key players are reluctant to speak to the media ahead of big games.

Keegan believes the Mayo camp will be more open to do interviews going forward under new manager Kevin McStay, who has worked within the media for a number of years.

READ MORE: Ireland's only ever AFL Grand Final winner keen to see others reach the summit

Speaking on Off The Ball, the Mayo star said: "Previously it's probably been frustrating, particularly the last four or five years where no-one is talking about anything.

"We're on about promoting our sports and our games but yet we can't get players or management talking about the game.

"What do you learn from a press night from a player? Not very much to be honest.

"I've been pretty open and honest about football over the last few years about how the game is played but what does that tell a team? Not really much. You're still going to get the same person or player that's going to come up against you and you're either going to win your battle or you're not.

"Kevin's in the media and he knows how the media works. I don't have an issue with it to be honest. If it helps the game, promotes the game, then brilliant.

"I think he's probably going to be a bit more open with it."

Keegan finds the lack of insight from teams ahead of some of the biggest games of the years particularly frustrating.

He added: "The All-Ireland semi-final this year - Dublin and Kerry - there was nothing about it in the media in the build-up to it. Yet we're talking about a potential full crowd.

"Sure no-one knew nothing about it. No-one knew teams or how they're feeling, how the last game went...

"Even as players, we like to read that kind of thing. We still have the same experiences during games, pre-game, post-game, leading into a big game.

"I don't know how much you're going to give away. It's not going to be the thing to win or lose them the match. It never has been and it never will be.

"I just think we've got so tight around the whole media/GAA circle. It's become a bit of a farce to be honest.

"I don't see the issue with it. Unless guys are going to start writing headlines that somebody never said but that's not the case.

"I'd like to see things a bit more open and less stringent going forward if I'm honest."

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