Tributes paid to Mick Hayes, one of Waterford’s greatest ever defenders

FORMER Waterford hurler Mick Hayes of Butlerstown who starred at left half-back in the counties’ All-Ireland winning team of 1948 passed away yesterday.

He was also a regular on Munster teams throughout the 1940s winning five Railway Cup medals with the province.

He played in his first Munster senior hurling final in 1943 when Waterford lost out to a great Cork side that featured the legendary Christy Ring and which won four All-Irelands in a row between 1941 and 1944.

Hayes rated Ring the greatest player he ever encountered, describing the Cloyne wizard as “a hurler without equal”.

Although his services were sought by several of the top senior clubs he never left his beloved Butlerstown and had his reward when he won junior championship honours with them. He was also named in Waterford’s hurling team of the century.

Paying tribute to him, Waterford County Board chairman Paddy Joe Ryan said Mick Hayes would rank among the great defenders of his generation and most definitely one of the greatest hurlers Waterford every produced.

“On and off the field he was a gentleman, and his passing truly marks the end of an era in our county,” Mr Ryan added.

He is survived by his wife Mary, his sons Eugene and Mike, his daughter Philomena, his sister Annie and a wide circle of other relatives.

His burial takes place today in Butlerstown following 11am Requiem Mass.