Hayes a leading light for star-studded Green machine

CONOR Hayes just lost out on the Kerry minor panel, but was a leading light with Kerins O’Rahillys in last year’s County Championship as well as a cutting corner forward for Tralee CBS along their way to the final and like Seán Quilter, he is a key part of John Sugrue’s plans.

“We put in a lot of hard work over the year, so it was nice to have it pay off. It was a tough game, they came back at us but thankfully we held on and all our hard work paid off in extra-time. It’s been good to be involved in different set-ups,” he continues.

“Different managers, different training – John Sugrue [Kerry Under 20s], Mike Tim [the school], Micheál Quirke [Kerins O’Rahillys], it’s a great benefit to us. I’m happy with the way I am playing so far, but it’s all about the team as well, not just about myself.

“You have to bring everyone else into the game as well. If I don’t score and we win a Corn Uí Mhuirí, happy days! We take it in our stride. We have all the work done before the game; there’s no point worrying on the field.”

Conor isn’t under-estimating St Brendans or the challenge ahead.

“They are obviously a good team; they wouldn’t be in the final if they weren’t. They have good players, we know about them, but we’ll just play our own game and hopefully we will come out on top. It’s great. My family would be at every game and supporting me all the way. My Dad gives me advice and tells me if I am getting something wrong.”

One advantage for both Conor and Seán is that the Under 20 John Kerins Tournament was played under the new playing rules. “The advance mark helps the forward definitely if you use it right. Myself and Seán were lucky because of our Under 20 involvement, we had a few games played so we had the rules earlier than the rest of the players. There’s no club rivalry in the school. We are all playing together since first year and we are all friends outside of it.”

Above all, Conor is looking forward to the challenge ahead.

“When you are playing The Sem, it means more. There’s a strong rivalry there down through the years, the hurt of losing finals to each other.”