• Born
• Educated
• Occupation
• Debut 21 August 1899 v I Zingari at Vice Regal Ground, Phoenix Park
• Cap Number 237
• Style Right hand batsman, right arm medium pace bowler
• Teams Leinster

GT Keatinge is, unfortunately, another player about whom it has been impossible to trace full details. He does not appear in the 1901 and 1911 census returns, unless he is the George Keating (note different spelling) who appears in both years but, for several reasons in addition to the change of spelling, this appears to be unlikely. We would be very pleased to receive any information about him which might provide or lead to the missing details being completed. As his full names are not known for certain he is referred to in this notice as GTK.

GTK was a useful all rounder who was a regular in the Leinster side for more than ten years. In 1982, he scored over 300 runs with a highest score of 72 and took 71 wickets at 10.62. This put him third in the bowling averages which were headed by 18 year old Bob Lambert, then on the threshold of his remarkable career. Bob also took 71 wickets, his costing 6.60. Both men were in the Leinster side which played a strong MCC line up at Lord's in 1897 and was heavily defeated, after a closely fought first innings. MCC, whose batting was headed by the former Scotland, NICC and Ireland player John Russel made 156 with Bob taking 5.54. GTK sent down six wicketless overs for 24.

He then opened the batting with Sep Lambert but, being run out for 9 in the first innings. Lambert went on to make 91 which left Leinster trailing by 4 runs . MCC set their visitors 156 to win but they collapses for 44. GTK, again going in first, being caught off William Roache, an Australian off spinner temporarily on the MCC groundstaff, for 1. The catcher was Thomas Attwell, brother of the Test player William. Thomas later became professional at Shrewsbury School and, at one time, had a young Manchester off spinner called Fred Cardus as his assistant. Fred was later to decide that a first name of Neville sounded much grander. He also, in his volumes of Autobiography, changed Thomas into William.

GTK's one match for Ireland only came about because of a selection dispute before the I Zingari match of 1899. Phoenix took exception to the fact that the team as selected included a mere six of their players. Their representative on the selection panel Frank Browning insisted that a seventh AM Porter should also be included. When this was refused Phoenix withdrew all their players. As these included not only Browning but cricketers of the calibre of Tom Ross, Jack Meldon and Lucius and Arthur Gwynn it was not surprising that the makeshift Irish side was heavily defeated by the visitors who included Sir Timothy O'Brien and BJT Bosanquet, inventor of the googly but then simply a fast bowler. O'Brien made a memorable 121 and Bosanquet took 15 wickets in the match. His haul included GTK twice. Batting at 9 he was bowled for 0 in the first innings and lbw for 5 in the second. He was, perhaps, fortunate not to be asked to bowl. An additional single innings match was played as the main contest finished early. This finished in a draw in Ireland's favour but GTK neither batted not bowled.

Little more is known about GT Keatinge in the new century. He ceased to be a regular in Leinster sides and was not selected for Ireland again. As stated above, we would very much appreciate any further details about him.