Niall’s death shocked us all, says teammate Hayes

Galway hurling star Damien Hayes has opened up on his close friend Niall Donoghue’s sudden death, admitting there were absolutely no warning signs.

Hayes and Donoghue were team-mates on Galway’s Leinster championship-winning team of 2012 and also contested that season’s All-Ireland final. But experienced forward Hayes admitted they formed a particularly close bond last season as they both lost their places in the first team.

Donoghue was found dead at his home last October just days before the Galway senior hurling final involving Hayes’ Portumna.

The club decider was postponed from the Sunday to the Monday and Hayes admitted how tragic it was to be “burying one of your team-mates” instead of playing the game they both loved.

“I didn’t see it coming for Niall,” said Hayes at a media promotion for the AIB All-Ireland club hurling semi-finals. “I always thought he was unbelievably happy and he was always messing.

“I used often be over in the same corner with him in the dressing-room, messing and chatting. It was an unbelievable shock. It wasn’t easy now. When you go back in [with Galway], it’ll still be hard.”

Hayes admitted the death of the 22-year-old will undoubtedly motivate the county team to succeed this year.

“Anthony Cunningham had a meeting with us and we only had a small brief chat about it, just to say hopefully that this might spur us on a little bit,” added the former All Star. “We all returned to Kilbeacanty for Niall’s month’s mind. I’ve spoken to his Dad, Francie, and I’ve spoken to his brother as well. It’s not easy at times.”