The news comes after Nicky English, who was the Tipperary county board's first choice, turned down the offer to return to the position he held for four years between 1999 and 2002, leading the county to their most recent All Ireland success in 2001. Their last All Ireland before that was won in 1991, when Carr was captain. Following a spell in the US in the mid-1990s, the Holycross clubman hurled again for Tipperary in the 1999 National League.

Citing the holidays and the fact that many people were out of circulation, Tipperary GAA chairman John Costigan told the Tribune that the board were currently "only putting out feelers" to potential candidates. "It's crucial that we get the right man, which is why we're not putting a timescale on the process."

Among those already mentioned as possible successors to Keating are Lorrha man John McIntyre, who recently stepped down as Offaly manager, and, more improbably, Davy Fitzgerald.

Both Keating and his immediate predecessor Ken Hogan failed to guide Tipp beyond the All Ireland quarter-final stage.