Babs writes off Tipperary with blistering attack on players
Keating, who failed to capture any silverware during his second spell as Tipperary manager from 2005-07, launched another blistering attack on the current players, many of whom he managed prior to Liam Sheedy’s appointment. Sheedy masterminded successive Munster successes in 2008 and 2009, while Tipp also ran Kilkenny desperately close in last year’s All-Ireland final, but Keating remains unconvinced and insisted that some players have “failed” Tipperary.
Speaking to TV3, Keating said: “If Tipp are to come through, they could have to meet Waterford, Galway and Kilkenny along the way. I don’t think the players that have failed Tipperary over the last number of years will relish meeting them all and beating them all.
“Having to face a couple of them will make life very tough for Tipperary.”
Keating also launched a fresh defence of his tempestuous second term in charge, which saw him at odds with leading players like Brendan Cummins and Eoin Kelly.
Keating said: “Decisions that myself, Tom Barry and John Leahy made managing the team four and five years ago, we made those in the best interests of the people paying money and wearing the blue and gold going in the gate.”
During the 2007 campaign, Keating dropped both Cummins and Kelly and he reflected: “We made unpopular decisions but made those decisions in their (supporters) best interests.”
Keating also took a veiled swipe at Sheedy when he spoke about Cork boss Denis Walsh’s planning for last Sunday’s win.
Keating said: “Denis Walsh has a history of winning All-Irelands – he has that advantage over Liam Sheedy.”
Keating once again insisted that Tipp’s half forward division and midfield is not up to scratch and claimed that the personnel he worked with and still playing for the Premier County did not heed his “advice”.
He said: “Those of us observing Tipperary have been critical of the half forward line in particular. The half forward line and midfield are not strong enough to match what’s going to emerge.
