Keating labels Cork performance as 'disgraceful'

July 15, 2019

Cork's Mark Ellis dejected. ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo.

Michael 'Babs' Keating has ripped into Cork following their All-Ireland SHC quarter-final defeat to Kilkenny.

The pre-match favourites were outplayed in the second half at Croke Park, and writing in the Irish Sun, 'Babs' was especially critical of Cork goalkeeper Anthony Nash, while he also believes John Meyler's time as manager may be up.

"To turn up in the middle of July after months of work and give that performance was disgraceful from Cork," the Tipperary legend stated.

"It genuinely seemed like some of them didn’t know what they were doing at Croke Park. John Meyler is at a crossroads now. I’m an admirer of John but he might have had enough after two seasons in charge of this team.

"It all starts with the goalkeeper and it ends with a lack of knowledge of where to put the ball. I’ve been hard on Anthony Nash before but I certainly wouldn’t start 2020 with him in goal if I was the Rebels’ boss.

"His ability to read the game let his team down badly — he almost looked more interested in finding a Kilkenny player from his puck-outs than a team-mate in red. He sent too many balls to colleagues who were under pressure and I wouldn’t blame Niall O’Leary or any of the rest of the Cork defenders for that."

Keating added: "Composure and the ability to connect with one another was also a big problem for the Cork team.

Their backs didn’t know where their best options were and that was critical."


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