State of hurling has never been as low, says Babs Keating

Tipperary great fears Kildare face "a crucifixion" in 2026 Leinster SHC

Joe McDonagh Cup champions Kildare lost their All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final to Dublin in June by 21 points. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Babs Keating insists he can’t remember the state of hurling being as low as now and fears Kildare will face “a crucifixion” in the Leinster championship next season.

As the Hurling Development Committee later this week propose the end of the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals to Central Council, Tipperary’s two-time All-Ireland winning manager feels the gulf between the Liam MacCarthy and Joe McDonagh Cups is widening.