Tipp legend Babs Keating has criticised Brian Cody's decision to leave Henry Shefflin on the bench for the All-Ireland hurling final on Sunday. In an interview with TV3 news, he said,
I know if I was in Cody's position I certainly wouldn't be keeping him as a sub with his experience, and particularly with the players he played.
If he was training at the level he was supposed to be at, I'd certainly have started him yesterday, and I think it's an insult to a guy like Shefflin to leave him on the line for the last four or five minutes, particularly with the subs he put in.
I think it was wrong to Henry to do that.
Keating argue that age should not have played a factor in Shefflin's omission from the starting line-up. He also implied that Cody might bring King Henry back into the starting XV for the replay.
Comparing age? Lar Corbett is up in the same age category. So is Eoin Kelly. So, that argument doesn't stand up with me. If he was training as well as he was supposed to be training, I'd certainly have started him, and I think the possibility is that you'll see him at number 14 in almost three weeks time.
The two-time All-Ireland winner commended the individual performances of the players in the thrilling 3-22 to 1-28 draw in Croke Park. Keating suggested that the players should be rewarded financially for their efforts. He also managed to get in one more cheap shot at the Cats' expense at the end of the interview.
They did more for hurling than any Croke Park promotion or any Munster council or Leinster council could do. Like, you have everybody talking about hurling this morning, thanks to those player.
The least they deserve is a decent cheque from Croke Park to pay for a holiday because Tipperary, I know, are going to be stretched enough with their commitment and what they're doing and how they're spending money, and, eh... let Kilkenny look after themselves.
Hat tip: TV3
