Babs Keating

Michael "Babs" Keating (born 17 April 1944) is an Irish former hurler and Gaelic footballer who played as a forward for the Tipperary senior teams.^[1]

Born in Ardfinnan, County Tipperary, Keating first played competitive Gaelic games during his schooling at CBS High School Clonmel. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of sixteen when he first linked up with the Tipperary minor teams in both codes, before later joining the under-21 sides. He joined the senior football panel during the 1960 championship before being added to the senior hurling panel four years later. Keating was a regular member of the starting fifteen on both teams, and won two All-Ireland medals, four Munster medals and two National Hurling League medals. He was an All-Ireland runner-up on two occasions.

As a member of both Munster inter-provincial teams on a number of occasions, Keating won a combined total of three Railway Cup medals. At club level he was a five-time football championship medallist with Ardfinnan. Keating played his club hurling with Ballybacon–Grange.

Throughout his career Keating made 27 championship appearances with the senior hurlers. He retired from inter-county hurling following the conclusion of the 1975 championship, however, his inter-county football career lasted until the end of the 1980 championship.

Keating is widely regarded one of the greatest players of his generation. In 1971 he was named on the inaugural All-Star team, while he also collected the Texaco Hurler of the Year award. Delaney was also chosen as one of the 125 greatest hurlers of all time in a 2009 poll.^[2]

In retirement from playing Keating became involved in team management and coaching. At various times he has served as manager of the Galway, Offaly and Laois senior teams, however, it has been with his own native Tipperary that he enjoyed his greatest success, guiding the team to two All-Ireland victories.