Ranger Hayes on a mission

Long before John Hayes became known throughout the county as a classy forward, tales of his trickery on the field as a nipper with Carbery Rangers were almost legendary in West Cork.

Indeed when they claimed the county Junior football title in 2003 by beating Cill na Martra, it’s hard to believe the then 17-year-old dictated games with ease. Man of the Match in that final, word of his prowess spread fast.

“You know what he’s going to do and when he’s going to do it but you still can’t stop him doing it,” whined a Newcestown opponent once after they had come off second best in a minor championship game against Ross, referring to Hayes’ trademark shuffle-come-shake .