Kyle Hayes (born 15 July 1998) is an Irish hurler, who plays for Limerick Senior Championship club Kildimo-Pallaskenry and at inter-county level with the Limerick senior hurling team. He usually lines out as a left wing-back. To date he has won 4 all stars, 6 Munster titles, 5 All Irelands and PWC GPA/GAA young hurler of the year in 2018.

Kyle Hayes
Personal information
Irish name Mac Shile Ó hAodha
Sport Hurling
Position Left wing-back
Born (1998-07-15) July 15, 1998 (age 26)
Kildimo, County Limerick, Ireland
Height 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Club(s)*
Years Club Apps (scores)
Kildimo-Pallaskenry 2 (0-06)
Club titles
Limerick titles 0
Colleges(s)
Years College
2016-2020
University of Limerick
College titles
Fitzgibbon titles 0
Inter-county(ies)**
Years County Apps (scores)
2017–present
Limerick 43 (7-48)
Inter-county titles
Munster titles 6
All-Irelands 5
NHL 3
All Stars 5
* club appearances and scores correct as of 21:50, 8 October 2021.
**Inter County team apps and scores correct as of 20:42, 01 November 2024.

Club career

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Hayes joined the Kildimo-Pallaskenry club at a young age and played in all grades at juvenile and underage levels before eventually joining the club's top adult teams as both a hurler and Gaelic footballer. He enjoyed his first success at adult level when, on 28 October 2017, he lined out at left wing-forward when the club's intermediate team faced Glenroe in the final of the Limerick Intermediate Championship. He was held scoreless over the hour but ended the game with a winners' medal after the 2-13 to 0-09 win.[1]

On 21 October 2018, Hayes was selected amongst the substitutes when Kildimo-Pallaskenry faced Cappamore in the final of the Limerick Junior Football Championship. He was introduced as a half-time substitute and ended the game with a winners' medal after the 1-15 to 2-07 victory.[2]

After being beaten by Blackrock in the 2019 PIHC final, Hayes lined out in a second successive final as team captain in 2020. Lining out at left corner-forward he scored three points in the 0-22 to 1-13 defeat of Mungret/St. Paul's.[3][4] It was their first ever championship title in this grade.

Inter-county career

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Minor and under-21

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Hayes first played for Limerick when he was added to the minor panel shortly before the start of the 2015 Munster Minor Championship. He made his first appearance for the team on 8 April 2015 when he lined out at midfield in a ten-point defeat by Cork in the Munster quarter-final.[5] Switched to the half-forward line as Limerick regrouped during the rest of the provincial campaign, Hayes was at right wing-forward when Limerick were beaten by three points by Tipperary in the Munster final.[6] Eligible for the minor grade again the following year, he was selected at centre-forward when Limerick suffered a second successive defeat by Tipperary in the 2016 Munster final.[7] On 4 September 2016, Hayes scored a point from full-forward when Limerick were beaten by 1-21 to 0-17 by Tipperary in the All-Ireland final.[8]

After the end of his minor career, Hayes was immediately added to the Limerick under-21 panel for the 2017 Munster Under-21 Championship. After making his first appearance for the team in an 11-point quarter-final defeat of Tipperary, he ended the championship with a winners' medal after Limerick's 0-16 to 1-11 defeat of Cork in the final.[9] On 9 September 2017, Hayes lined out at centre-back in Limerick's 0-17 to 0-11 defeat of Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final.[10] He ended the season by being named in the centre-back position on the Team of the Year.[11] Hayes was again eligible for the under-21 team in 2018 and was also appointed team captain.[12] He made his last under-21 appearance on 21 June 2018 in a Munster semi-final defeat by Tipperary.[13]

Senior

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2017 season

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Hayes was still just 18-years-old and out of the minor grade when he was drafted onto the senior panel by new manager John Kiely in advance of the 2017 Munster League. He made his first appearance of the pre-season competition on 8 January 2017, when he came on as a half-time-minute substitute for right corner-back Seánie O'Brien in a first-round defeat of Waterford.[14] Hayes received his first competitive start on 22 January 2017 when he lined out at right wing-forward in a 24-point fourth-round defeat of Kerry.[15] He was retained on the panel for the 2017 National League campaign, making six appearances, including at full-forward in Limerick's ten-point defeat by Galway in the semi-final.[16] Once again making the cut for Limerick's 2017 Munster Championship panel, Hayes made his championship debut on 4 June 2017 when he scored 1-01 from play in a 3-17 to 2-16 defeat by Clare in the Munster semi-final.[17][18]

2018 season

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In November 2017, Hayes was again named on the 38-man Limerick panel for the upcoming 2018 season.[19] After playing no part in Limerick's successful Munster League campaign, he made a number of appearances throughout the subsequent National League, including at centre-forward in a second successive semi-final defeat.[20] Hayes established himself as Limerick's first-choice centre-forward throughout the championship and was selected in that position when Limerick faced Galway in the 2018 All-Ireland final.[21] He scored four points from play as Limerick won their first All-Ireland Championship title in 45 years after a 3-16 to 2-18 win.[22] Hayes was also selected as the official man of the match.[23] He ended the season by being nominated for an All-Star Award, while he was also named Young Hurler of the Year.[24][25]

2019 season

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Hayes was again a regular for Limerick during the 2019 National League, making five appearances during their eight games. He was held scoreless from centre-forward when Limerick claimed their first Division 1 title since 1997 after a 1-24 to 0-19 win over Waterford in the final.[26] Hayes ended the 2019 Munster Championship with his first provincial winners' medal after scoring 1-02 from play in the 2-26 to 2-14 win over Tipperary in the Munster final.[27] He again received an All-Star nomination at the end of the season, while he was also shortlisted for a second successive Young Hurler of the Year award but lost out to Kilkenny's Adrian Mullen.[28][29]

2020 season

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Commitments with the University of Limerick for the 2020 Fitzgibbon Cup campaign precluded him from lining out with Limerick during their title-winning Munster League campaign.[30] The subsequent National League campaign saw Hayes line out in three of Limerick's five Division 1A games. On 25 October 2020, he was again at centre-forward in a 0-36 to 1-23 defeat of Clare in the delayed league final.[31] For the Munster semi-final against Tipperary on 1 November 2020, he was surprisingly switched from the forwards to defence, lining out at left wing-back with Cian Lynch taking over the centre-forward position.[32] Hayes ended the 2020 Munster Championship with a second successive winners' medal after again playing at left wing-back in the Munster final defeat of Waterford.[33] On 13 December 2020, he scored a point from his now customary position of left wing-back when Limerick defeated Waterford by 0-30 to 0-19 in the All-Ireland final.[34]

Personal life

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Hayes has worked as a HR officer since graduating from his business studies degree at the University of Limerick in 2020.[35]

Court cases and convictions

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In November 2023, a jury was sworn in to hear a trial of Hayes and three other men who were charged with violent disorder and assault causing harm to a man at a nightclub in Limerick city in October 2019.[36] On 1 December, Hayes was found not guilty of assault causing harm but guilty of two charges of violent disorder at the nightclub.[37][38] The trial heard Hayes was part of a "mob" that "chased", "punched", "stamped" and "kicked" a 24-year-old man, during a "vicious and sustained attack" inside and outside the nightclub.[39] In March 2024, he was given a two year suspended sentence, ordered to pay €10,000 in compensation, and ordered to keep the peace for that time.[40]

On 14 July 2024, Hayes was arrested for dangerous driving having been recorded driving at over 150 km/h in a 100 km/h zone.[41][42] On 10 September 2024 he was convicted of dangerous driving and disqualified from driving for two years.[43] Following his conviction, an application was made for a court decision on whether his two-year suspended sentence for violent disorder would be re-activated.[44] The case was due in court on 7 October 2024 but was adjourned for two months pending an appeal against the dangerous driving conviction.[45][46]

Despite these convictions, Hayes was nominated for the 2024 GAA/GPA Hurler of the Year award, a decision that was widely criticised online.[47] His receipt of a GAA/GPA All Star Award in 2024 also faced criticism including from the mother of the victim of Hayes' "violent disorder" who claimed that Hayes had never apologised to her son over the incident.[48][49]

Career statistics

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As of match played 07 July 2024.
Team Year National League Munster All-Ireland Total
Division Apps Score Apps Score Apps Score Apps Score
Limerick 2017 Division 1B 6 2-05 1 1-01 1 0-02 8 3-08
2018 3 1-03 4 0-05 4 1-08 11 2-16
2019 Division 1A 5 0-01 5 1-07 1 0-00 11 1-08
2020 4 0-05 3 0-03 2 0-01 9 0-09
2021 4 1-02 2 2-00 2 0-00 8 3-02
2022 2 0-00 3 2-01 2 0-07 7 2-08
2023 3 1-06 5 0-02 2 0-03 10 1-11
2024 1 0-01 5 0-08 1 0-01 7 0-10
Career total 28 5-23 28 6-27 15 1-22 71 12-72

Honours

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Kildimo-Pallaskenry
Limerick
Awards

References

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  1. ^ "O'Connell double fires Kildimo-Pallaskenry to first title". The Weekly Observer. 2 November 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  2. ^ Neville, Jack (22 October 2018). "WATCH: Reaction from Kyle Hayes and Peter Nash after JAFC victory". Limerick Post. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  3. ^ Slattery, Joel (26 October 2019). "Colm O'Keeffe the hero for Blackrock as they see off Kildimo-Pallaskenry". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  4. ^ Buckley, Brendan (13 September 2020). "Kyle Hayes leads Kildimo-Pallaskenry to senior ranks in Limerick". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  5. ^ Cormican, Eoghan (9 April 2015). "Denis Ring delights as Cork minor hurlers roar past Limerick". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  6. ^ Cormican, Eoghan (13 July 2015). "Tipperary storm up final stretch against Limerick". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  7. ^ "Tipperary romp to Munster minor title". Irish Examiner. 10 July 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  8. ^ Cormican, Eoghan (5 September 2016). "Redemption as powerful Premier get hands on cup". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  9. ^ "Limerick beat Cork to earn second Munster U21 hurling title in three years". Irish Examiner. 26 July 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  10. ^ Cormican, Eoghan (11 September 2017). "Limerick savour that September excitement in U21 hurling final". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  11. ^ O'Toole, Fintan (2 October 2017). "Gillane the star man as Limerick, Kilkenny, Galway and Cork players make U21 team of the year". The 42. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  12. ^ Neville, Jack (26 April 2018). "Defending Champions Limerick name U21 hurling panel". Sporting Limerick. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  13. ^ Small, Darragh (21 June 2018). "Clinical Tipp dethrone All-Ireland champions Limerick and book Munster final spot". The 42. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  14. ^ Keane, Thomas (8 January 2017). "Fitzgibbon and Dempsey key in helping new Limerick boss claim win over Waterford". The 42. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  15. ^ Brennan, Paul (22 January 2017). "Barry Nash bags a brace as Limerick record 24-point win over Kerry". The 42. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  16. ^ "Galway see off Limerick to advance to Division 1 final". Irish Examiner. 16 April 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  17. ^ Keane, Thomas (25 April 2017). "Limerick cut 7 players from panel ahead of hurling championship campaign". The 42. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  18. ^ "Clare keep Limerick at arm's length to book Munster final spot". Irish Times. 4 June 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  19. ^ O'Connell, Jerome (16 November 2017). "10 additions to 2018 Limerick hurling panel". Limerick Leader. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  20. ^ Crowe, Dermot (1 April 2018). "Tipperary go extra mile to book their final spot by seeing off Limerick". Irish Independent. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  21. ^ Duffy, Emma (17 August 2018). "Limerick name unchanged side for All-Ireland final showdown against Galway". The 42. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  22. ^ McGoldrick, Seán (19 August 2018). "Limerick are All Ireland hurling champions for the first time in 45 years following epic victory over Galway". Irish Independent. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  23. ^ "Kyle Hayes wins Man of the Match, Limerick dominate Sunday Game best XV but Galway star was their hurler of the year". Irish Independent. 19 August 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  24. ^ "All Star hurling nominees: 15 Limerick players in contention". Hogan Stand. 13 September 2018. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  25. ^ Moran, Seán (2 November 2018). "Limerick sweep the boards with six All Star and both Hurlers of the Year". Irish Times. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  26. ^ O'Toole, Fintan (31 March 2019). "Limerick end 22-year with for league honours in style with final win over Waterford". The 42. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  27. ^ O'Toole, Fintan (30 June 2019). "More glory for Limerick as they lift Munster crown with 12-point win over Tipperary". The 42. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  28. ^ O'Toole, Fintan (26 September 2019). "11 players from Tipperary as 8 counties feature in 2019 All-Star hurling nominations". The 42. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  29. ^ "Callanan, Horgan and Reid nominated for Hurler of the Year". Hogan Stand. 26 September 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  30. ^ Hurley, Denis (11 January 2020). "Stylish Limerick cruise past Cork to win Munster league". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  31. ^ Fogarty, John (25 October 2020). "Lethal Limerick storm to victory despite Tony Kelly brilliance". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  32. ^ Fogarty, John (1 November 2020). "Tipperary blown away as Limerick storm into Munster final". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  33. ^ Fogarty, John (15 November 2020). "Limerick made to work by Waterford for historic Munster SHC crown". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  34. ^ Fogarty, John (13 December 2020). "Limerick show consistency in a world gone mad to claim All-Ireland honours". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  35. ^ O'Connell, Jerome (31 August 2022). "Kyle Hayes: 'A lot of men see talking about their struggles as a weakness but it's not'". Limerick Leader. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  36. ^ "Jury sworn in as Limerick hurler Kyle Hayes charged with assault". RTÉ News. 20 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  37. ^ Mannion, Teresa (1 December 2023). "Kyle Hayes found guilty of two counts of violent disorder, acquitted of assault charge". RTÉ News. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  38. ^ Raleigh, David (1 December 2023). "All-Ireland winning Limerick hurler Kyle Hayes found guilty of violent disorder". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  39. ^ Raleigh, David (1 December 2023). "Hurling star Kyle Hayes found not guilty of assault but guilty of violent disorder at Limerick nightclub". Irish Independent. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  40. ^ Kane, Conor (20 March 2024). "Suspended sentence for Hayes over violent disorder". RTÉ.ie.
  41. ^ "Kyle Hayes handed court date after being charged with dangerous driving". 18 July 2024.
  42. ^ "Well-known GAA star arrested for dangerous driving and set to appear before court". 16 July 2024.
  43. ^ Martyn, Petula (10 September 2024). "Hurler Kyle Hayes disqualified from driving for two years". RTÉ.ie.
  44. ^ "Kyle Hayes may face possible violent disorder sentence re-activation". 11 September 2024.
  45. ^ Murphy, Ann (2 October 2024). "All-Ireland winner Kyle Hayes's case due back in court in Limerick on Monday". The Examiner. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  46. ^ "Appeal against dangerous driving conviction delays hearing on Kyle Hayes's suspended sentence".
  47. ^ "GAA slammed after announcing Kyle Hayes' nomination for Hurler of the Year on X".
  48. ^ https://m.sundayworld.com/crime/courts/backlash-after-limerick-hurler-kyle-hayes-awarded-gaa-all-star-despite-convictions/a1243945160.html
  49. ^ https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/absolutely-disgusted-victims-mother-hits-out-after-limerick-hurler-kyle-hayes-receives-all-star-award/a193127773.html