Who is Kyle Hayes? Kyle Hayes Bio, Playing Career, Statistics, Honours
by J Nandhini
Updated Jul 19, 2023
Who is Kyle Hayes?
Kyle Hayes, born in 1998, is an Irish hurler who actively participates in the Limerick Senior Championship representing the Kildimo-Pallaskenry club. Furthermore, he is a prominent member of the Limerick senior hurling team at the inter-county level. Hayes consistently assumes the role of a left wing-back during matches.
Sport
Hurling
Position
Left wing-back
Born
1998 (age 24–25) Height
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Club
Kildimo-Pallaskenry
Country
Limerick
Kildimo, County Limerick, Ireland
Kyle Hayes Career
At a young age, Hayes became a member of the Kildimo-Pallaskenry club, actively participating in various grades at juvenile and underage levels. As he progressed, he eventually joined the club's top adult teams, showcasing his skills in both hurling and Gaelic football.
On 28 October 2017, Hayes experienced his first taste of success at the adult level when he played as left wing-forward in the Limerick Intermediate Championship final against Glenroe. Despite not scoring during the match, he proudly walked away with a winners' medal as Kildimo-Pallaskenry secured a convincing 2-13 to 0-09 victory.
Continuing his winning streak, on 21 October 2018, Hayes was part of the Kildimo-Pallaskenry team as a substitute in the Limerick Junior Football Championship final against Cappamore. After being introduced as a half-time substitute, he contributed to the team's success, earning a winners' medal following their impressive 1-15 to 2-07 victory.
In 2020, Hayes took on the role of team captain and led his team to the final of the PIHC. Although they were defeated by Blackrock in 2019, they returned the following year with determination. Playing as left corner-forward, Hayes showcased his skills by scoring three points in the final against Mungret/St. Paul's, leading Kildimo-Pallaskenry to a triumphant 0-22 to 1-13 victory and securing their first-ever championship title in this grade.
Inter-county career
Minor and under-21
Hayes made his debut for Limerick in the minor panel just before the start of the 2015 Munster Minor Championship. On 8 April 2015, he played at midfield in his first appearance for the team, which resulted in a ten-point defeat by Cork in the Munster quarter-final. During the rest of the provincial campaign, Hayes was moved to the half-forward line as Limerick regrouped, and he lined up as right wing-forward in the Munster final, where they were narrowly beaten by Tipperary.
The following year, eligible for the minor grade again, Hayes was selected at centre-forward when Limerick faced Tipperary in the 2016 Munster final, experiencing another defeat. On 4 September 2016, he played at full-forward in the All-Ireland final against Tipperary, contributing a point, but unfortunately, Limerick were beaten 1-21 to 0-17.
As his minor career concluded, Hayes seamlessly transitioned to the Limerick under-21 panel for the 2017 Munster Under-21 Championship. He made his first appearance in a quarter-final against Tipperary, which resulted in an 11-point victory. Hayes ended the championship on a high note, securing a winners' medal after Limerick's 0-16 to 1-11 victory against Cork in the final. On 9 September 2017, he played a crucial role as centre-back in Limerick's All-Ireland final victory against Kilkenny, winning the match 0-17 to 0-11. His outstanding performances led to his inclusion in the Team of the Year, occupying the centre-forward position.
In 2018, Hayes was once again eligible for the under-21 team and was additionally entrusted with the captaincy. His final appearance for the under-21s was on 21 June 2018 in a Munster semi-final, where they suffered defeat against Tipperary.
Senior
2017 season
At the age of just 18 and having moved on from the minor grade, Hayes was selected to join the senior panel under the management of John Kiely ahead of the 2017 Munster League. Making his pre-season debut on 8 January 2017, he entered the field as a substitute for right corner-back Seánie O'Brien during a first-round victory against Waterford. Hayes then received his first competitive start on 22 January 2017, playing at right wing-forward in a dominant 24-point win against Kerry during the fourth round.
Throughout the 2017 National League campaign, Hayes remained part of the panel and featured in six matches, including playing at full-forward during a ten-point loss to Galway in the semi-final. Earning his place once more in Limerick's 2017 Munster Championship panel, Hayes made his championship debut on 4 June 2017, scoring an impressive 1-01 from play in a closely contested 3-17 to 2-16 defeat against Clare in the Munster semi-final.
2018 season
Heading into the 2018 season, Hayes was included in the 38-man Limerick panel. While he did not participate in Limerick's victorious Munster League campaign, he played in several matches during the National League, including featuring at center-forward in a second successive semi-final loss. During the championship, Hayes cemented his position as Limerick's first-choice center-forward and was selected to play in that position during the 2018 All-Ireland final against Galway. His remarkable performance resulted in scoring four points from play as Limerick secured their first All-Ireland Championship title in 45 years, prevailing with a 3-16 to 2-18 victory. As a testament to his exceptional abilities, Hayes was awarded the official man of the match title. He concluded the season with a nomination for an All-Star Award and was also honored as the Young Hurler of the Year.
2019 season
During the 2019 National League, Hayes maintained his regular presence in the Limerick team, participating in five out of their eight games. Despite being held scoreless as center-forward, he played a crucial role in helping Limerick secure their first Division 1 title since 1997, achieving a convincing 1-24 to 0-19 victory over Waterford in the final. Furthermore, Hayes claimed his first provincial winners' medal in the 2019 Munster Championship, impressively scoring 1-02 from play during the final against Tipperary, resulting in a triumphant 2-26 to 2-14 win.
Recognizing his outstanding performances, Hayes received an All-Star nomination at the end of the season and was also shortlisted for a second consecutive Young Hurler of the Year award, narrowly missing out to Kilkenny's Adrian Mullen.
2020 season
In the 2020 Fitzgibbon Cup campaign with the University of Limerick, Hayes was unable to participate in Limerick's title-winning Munster League campaign due to prior commitments. Nonetheless, he made appearances in three of Limerick's five Division 1A games during the subsequent National League campaign. On 25 October 2020, he played at center-forward during the delayed league final, contributing to Limerick's 0-36 to 1-23 victory against Clare.
In a surprising move for the Munster semi-final against Tipperary on 1 November 2020, Hayes transitioned from the forward line to defense, occupying the position of left wing-back, with Cian Lynch taking over the center-forward position. Despite the position switch, Hayes excelled in his new role and concluded the 2020 Munster Championship with a second consecutive winners' medal, impressively playing as left wing-back in the Munster final victory against Waterford.
On 13 December 2020, he showcased his versatility once more, scoring a point from his customary position of left wing-back in the All-Ireland final against Waterford, resulting in a resounding 0-30 to 0-19 victory for Limerick.
Kyle Hayes Career statistics
National League
Team
Year
National League
Division
Apps
Score
Limerick
2017
Division 1B
6
2-05
2018
3
1-03
2019
Division 1A
5
0-01
2020
4
0-05
2021
4
1-02
2022
2
0-00
2023
3
1-06
Munster
Team
Year
Munster
Apps
Score
Limerick
2017
1
1-01
2018
4
0-05
2019
5
1-07
2020
3
0-03
2021
2
2-00
2022
3
2-01
2023
5
0-02
All-Ireland
Team
Year
All-Ireland
Apps
Score
Limerick
2017
1
0-02
2018
4
1-08
2019
1
0-00
2020
2
0-01
2021
2
0-00
2022
2
0-07
2023
1
0-02
Kyle Hayes Honours
Kildimo-Pallaskenry:
Limerick:
Awards:
Who is Kyle Hayes? - FAQs
Kyle Hayes was born in 1998.
Kyle Hayes plays for the Kildimo-Pallaskenry club in the Limerick Senior Championship.
Kyle Hayes represents Limerick at the inter-county level as part of the Limerick senior hurling team.
Kyle Hayes typically lines out as a left wing-back.