Limerick’s Kyle Hayes named Young Hurler of the Year

Limerick’s incredible hurling year has gotten another shot in the arm with the news that Kyle Hayes has been named Young Hurler of the Year at the GPA/GAA All-Star awards this evening.

Hayes, who earned the Man of the Match award in Limerick’s All-Ireland Final victory over Galway, saw off competition from Cork duo Darragh Fitzgibbon and Mark Coleman.

And the winner of the 2018 PwC @officialgaa/@gaelicplayers Young Hurler of the Year is….@LimerickCLG’s Kyle Hayes! #PwCAllStars pic.twitter.com/73iswifoAv

— PwC Ireland (@PwCIreland) November 2, 2018

The Kildimo-Pallaskenry starred at centre forward throughout Limerick’s campaign. His equalising score that earned Limerick a draw against Cork down in Pairc Ui Chaoimh will live long in the memory of all on Shannonside.

It is only Hayes’ second season on the Limerick senior hurling panel. He was part of the U-21 side that beat Kilkenny in the All-Ireland Final in 2017 and was Limerick captain in 2016 when his side lost out to Tipperary in the All-Ireland Minor Hurling Final.

Hayes topped off a fine year recently by playing a starring role off the bench in Kildimo-Pallaskenry’s Junior A Football Championship victory.

In collecting the awards, Hayes becomes the third Limerick player to do so after Mark Foley (1996) and Seamus Hickey (2007).