Leinster SH Club Quarter-final: It's not easy looking after UCD hurlers. They come from every corner of the hurling universe and most have their "home" clubs making demands on them. Then there are the intercounty commitments, which usually means under-21 and senior-panel training.

Despite recently retaking the reigns of Tipperary, Michael "Babs" Keating decided to stay around Belfield to guide them through the provincial campaign. Keating is currently juggling attentions between Tipperary challenge matches (this Saturday it's Waterford in Clonmel) and the students. "Keeps me away from the wife," he laughs.

They are thankful on campus for the continued loyalty, especially deep into the winter months, because when Babs speaks, young hurlers listen.

"It's only in the mind; the gap between a good club hurler and a county player. We can take that next step, we very nearly took it last year."

James Stephens denied them a piece of history in the Leinster club final- partially due to the Richie Ryan point that never was - but a re-match - that was never offered last year - with the Kilkenny champions seems a long way off.

On Sunday Birr come into focus at Parnell Park in the Leinster quarter-final. If they somehow manage to circumnavigate that obstacle, Wexford champions Oulart-the-Ballagh should be waiting in the last four. After spending a couple of minutes talking with Babs, it all seems so grim.

"I'd be fairly cautious now and I'll tell you why: Andrew Smith, who did so well for us last year, is playing in the Galway final this weekend for his club (Portumna). He may not yet have become a county player yet but he is a good club player and should get there.

"Redmond Barry was injured playing for his club in Wexford and we have been unable to get a (full) game out of him for two months. He hasn't even been training much so he is doubtful. It'd be wrong to start him.

"Then there are those who finished college in June and are no longer available to us on a regular basis. The likes of Stephen Lucey are not training with us regularly anymore. So, it ain't looking so good."

At least Offaly's Brendan Murphy will be hyped up about playing against his fellow county men? "Murphy is another to pick up a knock playing for Leinster in the interprovincial final. We haven't seen him since he went to Boston so . . ."

This is the way UCD must operate. That's why they need men like Babs and Dave Billings around. Many players are studying on a scholarship or sticking around for one more year out of loyalty for the education and good times they invariably experienced.

The travelling is a killer though. Anyone who has driven into Dublin from the midlands in recent weeks knows the roadworks have made it a nightmare.

"You can be sure Birr are training two nights a week and everyone is around. With the work on the Naas Road, we can't expect fellas to be coming up twice a week. Sure, even when they reach Dublin they have to travel to UCD. It takes long enough for me and I'm only coming over from Castleknock. There is nothing to gain for lads to be coming up from Kilkenny and Limerick. That's why we had a game with Tipperary last week."

Supposedly, it went fairly bad for the students against the county players last weekend. Supposedly, they were hurled into oblivion for just over an hour.

It's not all doom and gloom, though, as even Barry came off the bench in the Dublin final against St Vincent's, and while clearly unfit, he managed a point from the sideline.

Then remember this is a familiar group, having played with or against each other all the way up the underage ranks. Also, they are in peak condition and Birr are hardly an unknown quantity.

"We know plenty about them. They slipped up last year in their own championship after a number of years winning it. They have players whose commitment to the club is even greater than the county.

"If we win, it puts (Offaly manager) John McIntyre in a difficult position for 2006 considering they have around eight players on the Offaly team. They ought to be superior to us as we are not training regularly."

The catch becomes apparent as Keating provides a chink of light after what initially seems a hopeless scenario. "It is a horrible draw but if we're good enough to win it there is no harm in playing these matches at this time of year."

Makes it sound like its good for the soul . . . It probably is.