Michael Keating (hurler)

Michael Keating (hurler)

Michael 'Babs' Keating (born 17 April 1944 in Ardfinnan, County Tipperary, Ireland) is a retired Irish hurling manager and former player. He played hurling with his local club Ballybacon-Grange and with the Tipperary senior inter-county team in the 1960s and 1970s. Keating is regarded as a ‘larger-than-life’ figure in the GAA world for the last three decades.

As a player Keating was involved with the famous Tipperary team of the 1960s, a team often described as the greatest of all-time. In a senior inter-county career that lasted from 1964 until 1975 he won two All-Ireland titles, four Munster titles, two National Hurling League titles and two Railway Cup title. Keating has also been the recipient of many awards and honours off the field. In 1971 he was named in the inaugural All-Star team as well as being presented with the prestigious Texaco Hurler of the Year award.

As a manager Keating has had much success with many different teams. At various times he has served as manager of the Galway, Offaly and Laois senior hurling teams, however, it has been with his own native Tipperary that he has enjoyed the most success. Between 1987 and 1994 Keating lifted Tipperary out of the doldrums and guided the team to two All-Ireland titles, five Munster titles and two National Hurling League titles. His second term in charge, from 2005 until 2007, was not as successful.