“We’ve a strong panel there” | Tommy Hayes looks ahead to championship campaign with Doon

Doon fell short in the semi-final of the championship last year to Kilmallock as their search for a maiden title continues.

As we approach the opening weekend of the Bon Secours Hospital Limerick SHC, Doon’s Tommy Hayes believes his side have the right tools to push further this year.

The side had to settle for a semi-final defeat in last year’s edition of the Championship, losing to eventual champions Kilmallock 4-20 to 2-16 last October.

Doon, who are yet to lift the John Daly Cup, having finished runners-up four times in their history including a 2020 final defeat to Na Piarsaigh who they will be facing in their opening fixture this weekend.

Although they face a very tough start against the competition’s favourites, Hayes is confident in his side’s ability this season.

He believes the east Limerick side have a strong panel this year as well as a well-organised management team.

“Tadhg (Hayes) brings a massive amount of organisation but it’s the whole management team. We’ve Jimmy Quilty there, Aidan Fitz as well, there’s more people then behind in the backroom staff, it’s a whole management team that bring everything together.”

“They’ve done everything for us so far, it’s just about us putting it now onto the field and getting the performances there.”

“We’ve a strong panel there, most nights when we’ve the full panel we’ve 35/36 out in the club at training which is great for a rural club like our own. As I said, really looking forward to it and hopefully the panel can push forward for the rest of the year.”

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, groups stages consisted of four three-team groups meaning there was a chance sides only took the field twice in the championship.

This season, the SHC has reverted back to the six-team groups and Hayes is relishing the opportunity to play more games and is confident his side will make it more than five games this year.

“The last two years with Covid we had the condensed season, but we’re really looking forward to a guaranteed five championship games and we’ll be looking forward to more than five definitely but its tunnel vision now towards the first game.”

Please accept YouTube cookies to play this video. By accepting you will be accessing content from YouTube, a service provided by an external third party.

YouTube privacy policy

If you accept this notice, your choice will be saved and the page will refresh.

Accept YouTube Content

Doon take on Na Piarsaigh this Saturday in Claughaun at 7pm in the first round of the Limerick Senior Hurling Championship.