Babs ready to run the rule over the likely lads

BABS KEATING is hoping that this weekend’s challenge match against Waterford will give him a better idea of the talent available as he seeks to resurrect Tipperary’s fortunes in 2006.

The former All-Ireland winning player and manager has wasted little time in trawling though the county in search of players since his reappointment to the post early last month.

Challenge matches with Dublin and UCD have already come and gone but he has so far been unable to run the rule over some of the county's more established senior performers for a number of reasons.