The Bull stands in for absent Cats

Just as he did so many times for Munster and Ireland, John Hayes again stepped into the breach at the national ploughing championships.

Parading the Liam McCarthy cup on the Avonmore Milk stand at the event had become almost an annual outing for the Kilkenny hurlers.

But there were no sign of the Cats yesterday, because they have an unplanned appearance to make at Croke Park on Sunday when they play Galway in the All-Ireland hurling final replay.

Visitors to the food group’s stand, however, were thrilled to meet and greet the mighty John Hayes, the farmer and former rugby player from Cappamore, Co Limerick.

He played 105 times for Ireland and over 200 times for Munster. He won two Heineken Cups, four Triple Crowns, and a Grand Slam and has written his autobiography with Tommy Conlon.

The Bull: My Story will be launched tonight in Limerick but visitors to the Glanbia-Avonmore stand were afforded a pre-launch meet with the great man at “The Ploughing” yesterday.

He will be on hand again today to sign copies of the book.

Punters will also hear him being interviewed by Kieran O’Connor on his life and times as a farmer and as rugby icon.