Charity boosted by Hayes’s close shave

IT STARTED as a bit of fun but Damien Hayes has revealed he’ll make much-needed money from his fearsome beard.

Hayes sported a full beard, a la Tyrone’s footballers, during Tuesday’s All-Ireland club hurling final success, with the forward delivering a crucial 2-2 to help dismiss De La Salle.

He plans to shave it off for charity at a local pub in Portumna this Saturday night, with Autism Ireland benefiting.

“It started out as a bit of fun and a bit of craic — now it’s being shaved off for Autism Ireland,” smiled Hayes.

“It’s a good cause so I’m delighted.”

Hayes will surely get a good turnout from locals following his heroics against De La Salle. He hit two first-half goals which effectively wiped DLS out by half-time, the first of which was a contender for goal of the year.

Joe Canning picked Hayes out with a wonderful reverse pass and the livewire attacker did the rest.

“It was a great move because it was Leo Smith or someone that hit it into Niall (Hayes) and Niall gave it to Joe. I was coming in at pace and Joe laid it on well. I just got the ball into the corner of the net and it was a great kick-start for us. It was a great pass by Joe. It was an example of how we play with no hidden agendas. We always give the pass to the player in a better position.”

Galway fans will hope that Damien and Joe can link up in similar fashion for the remainder of the league and then the championship.

“I honestly don’t know what the situation is with the county,” said Damien. “If John (McIntyre) rings us during the week, we’ll meet him.

“At the minute we’re just going to concentrate on this win because who knows, it mightn’t happen next year. We hope this will give Galway a lift. Please God something comes of it.”