HAYES OF GLORY

Brian bags a treble as St Finbarr's march on

- STEPHEN BARRY

FOR the second time this season, Brian Hayes fired a hat-trick past Clare opposition as St Finbarr's marched onto a Munster SFC final meeting against Dingle.

The All-Star hurler claimed 3-1 in Cork’s League trip to Cusack Park last March. Yesterday, he exhibited his football talents with a 3-3 haul as the 2021 champions defeated Eire Og Ennis by 15 points at SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

Rebel legend Jimmy Barry-Murphy ranks among the all-time great dual players. Now a football selector for the South-side club, he hailed Hayes's ability to switch between codes.

“He was awesome again. Brian is a fabulous footballer, as well as a hurler. Hed be on any inter-county panel,’ said JBM.

“We'll never see a dual player again on the inter-county scene, that's just the way it is. It's a pity, but the way the seasons are won't allow it to happen ever again.

“He's a very talented lad and the Cork footballers know it as well. It goes without saying that theyd have him on their panel, along with a few of our other players who are hurlers as well.