Babs Keating issues Sheedy warning

As Liam Sheedy takes the helm in Tipperary for a second time, Babs Keating, who also served two spells as manager, has warned the second experience can be very different to the first.

Babs Keating issues Sheedy warning

By Michael Dundon

As Liam Sheedy takes the helm in Tipperary for a second time, Babs Keating, who also served two spells as manager, has warned the second experience can be very different to the first.

Keating was manager from 1986 to 1994, leading Tipperary to All-Ireland glory in 1989 and 1991, but his second term was not as successful.

Keating recalls that in his first term in charge he was fortunate to be working with an exceptional group of people and players but things were not as rosy second time round.

“We were faced with some problems and we had to take appropriate action and we suffered a kick-back from the public for it but we did what we had to do in the interests of Tipperary hurling,” he said.

“Liam is coming back to a very different situation now. When he first went in as manager he was fortunate to have players of the calibre of the Mahers and Noel McGrath coming through but now he is going to have to find players to solve problems in the full-back line and at midfield, and he is going to have to sort out the forwards.

“The new structure for the championship with an opening away game against Cork, and a lot of games in a few weeks, is another thing to be contended with.”

Keating says expectations are always high in Tipperary and supporters will be looking for Sheedy to produce a team they can be proud of.

“He will have seven or eight players in the dressing room that already have All-Ireland medals and that will be a big help, but he has to find a few new players. Tipp won the U21 All-Ireland and that will be a help too, but usually good senior inter-county hurlers are established in the county senior squad by the age of 21.”

Sheedy’s most immediate task is to put together a management team for the new campaign and Keating has his own ideas on that subject.

He advocates that either Liam Cahill, the U21 manager, or William Maher, a former U21 manager, both of whom were short-listed for the manager’s job, should be included in the management set-up.

“Both are very highly regarded in the county and their inclusion would have a very settling effect,” Keating said.

Many high-profile names are being speculated upon with Eamon O’Shea mentioned for a return to the fold joining Sheedy as coach.

Also mentioned in dispatches are ex-players Eoin Kelly and Shane McGrath, but as of yet, the cards are being played very close to the new manager’s chest. All will be revealed at the October meeting of the county board.

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