'Babs' to see out second year

The Tipperary County Board have confirmed that 2007 will see Michael 'Babs' Keating continuing in his role as the Premier county's senior hurling manager.

Keating was handed a two-year term when he was initially appointed last October, and at a Board meeting in Thurles last night, the Ballybacon-Grange clubman was reinstalled for another season, along with selectors Tom Barry and John Leahy.

Following a poor National League run, which saw his charges lose to Kilkenny and Galway and draw with Limerick, Keating managed to revive Tipp's fortunes during the championship.

Wins over Limerick and Waterford saw Tipp qualify for the Munster SHC final, which they lost to Cork by 2-14 to 1-14.

Controversy followed when team captain Ger 'Redser' O'Grady and highly-rated young forward Micheal Webster were both dropped from Keating's panel for disciplinary reasons.

Tipp's hopes of a first All-Ireland title since 2001 were then dashed when Waterford gained revenge on them at the quarter-final stage.

Keating, who led his native county to All-Ireland victories in 1989 and 1991, admitted that his managerial future "would be a matter for the County Board" in the aftermath of the narrow defeat to the Deise.

The 62-year-old is a former dual star who won three All-Ireland hurling medals with Tipp along with Railway Cup medals in both codes.

He managed the Premier men to two All-Irelands, two league titles and five Munster championships during his previous spell in charge.