Limerick fans defend Kyle Hayes after Cork MOTM backlash
Limerick fans jumped to the defence of their player Kyle Hayes following further backlash from fans last weekend.
Hayes and Limerick confirmed their place in a seventh-straight Munster hurling final thanks to a 16-point demolition of Cork at the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday last.
The Rebels had been fancied to take down John Kiely's men – as they had done twice in championship action in 2024. Limerick's Kyle Hayes was mobbed by supporters after starring in his side's Munster Hurling Championship win against Cork. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
The lattermost of those defeats was last July's All-Ireland semi-final, when Cork edged an epic between the sides by two points.
But on Sunday last there was only one team who looked like winning, and that was Limerick.
Hayes led the charge from centre back – a change from his usual No.7 jersey – and had a barnstormer of a display as he dictated play between the lines all afternoon. Shane Barrett up against Kyle Hayes during the Munster Hurling Championship match between Limerick and Cork at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Up top, the likes of Tom Morrissey and Aaron Gillane were in red-hot form, while Diarmaid Byrnes and Adam English were lively also.
Hayes' performance saw him scoop the Man of the Match award ahead of his teammates and while some questioned the decision based on the player's recent court proceedings, Limerick fans stood up for their player. Kyle Hayes. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
'Kyle richly deserved his motm [sic] award,' came one social media response, as another said: 'I'm delighted for the kid, he's been through enough negativity, best of luck for the future.'
'Well done Kyle you are a brilliant hurler and keep going – up Limerick,' came a supportive response from another fan.
'Deserved it and Gillane and English a close second,' came a snappy summary from another. Even a Cork fan who had watched his side get hammered by the Treaty conceded Hayes had been the best player on show.
'As a Rebel – he deserves [the] man of the match,' the fan wrote.
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