Underdog tag quickly grabbed by wily Babs

THE Tipperary victory had scarcely been rubber-stamped when their wily managerial fox began the mind games in advance of the ‘old firm’ Munster final showdown with champions Cork.

“Glad to be there’, acknowledged Babs Keating, the sweat glistening on his brow on a day when soaring temperatures tested the physical capacity of the players to the limit.

But if Babs was thrilled his charges had booked their place in the June 25 Semple Stadium provincial decider, he was telling the hurling world that on all the available evidence, they are unlikely to be good enough to dethrone the champions.