Kyle Hayes was lucky not to have been sent off in Limerick’s 0-24 0-19 win over Galway in Division One of the National Hurling League.
The Kildimo-Pallaskenry player was one of the best players on the Pearse Stadium pitch, having scored three phenomenal first half points from wing back.
But he was lucky to last until the end of the second, having struck Brian Concannon on the head when he was already on a yellow card.
Limerick manager John Kiely was on the far side of the pitch when the incident happened, and he told TG4 afterwards that, in the moment, his take was that his player was ‘simply putting his arm out to indicate the line ball was Limerick’s.’
There was a bit more to it than that, however.
TG4’s man-f0r-all-seasons Mícheál Ó Domhnaill pointed this out to Kiely, and put him on the spot by asking him if he’d like to watch the clash there and then.
As you would expect, Kiely politely declined.
“I’ll have plenty of time to watch it during the week, don’t worry,” he said with a wry smile.
John Kiely, Bainisteoir @LimerickCLG 🥳@GAA_BEO @AllianzIreland
#AllianzLeagues | #GAABEO | #GAABEO/LIVE ar @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/3kaUT2PEBI
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) February 26, 2023
TG4’s team of pundits Mark Foley, Cathal Moore and Cathal King were all in agreement afterwards that Hayes should have seen the line. Foley, the former Limerick player and two-time All-Star said Kiely will be disappointed in his player when he does watch it back.
“He made contact with the helmet. He deserved a red card, there’s no doubt about that,” said Foley. “John Kiely will be disappointed with him when he sees what he did.”
“There’s no misfortune in the story,” added Cathal Moore. He should have got a red card, that’s the top and bottom of it.”
You can watch the footage here courtesy of TG4.
https://twitter.com/CraicOfTheAsh/status/1629880672578940929
Tom Morrissey was Limerick’s man-of-the-match on a day when he scored 0-8. Cian Lynch also impressed with 0-3 from play while young forward Shane O’Brien also showed that he has plenty of potential. Barring a second half rally, Galway were very disappointing however as they lost a second home League game in a row, having lost to Cork a fortnight ago.
