Clare in safe hands as Hayes returns after lengthy recovery

It has been a long road back for Joe Hayes.

There were times, he admits, when he feared his inter-county career was at an end — a premature, enforced exit.

It is from this remove he wholly appreciates the opportunity to pull on the Clare shirt for tomorrow’s Munster SFC championship opener. Between the sticks or on the bench, it doesn’t matter. Joe is simply thankful to be back in the frame.