John Kiely: Character witness appearance was to show Kyle Hayes support, not condone behaviour

The Treaty star was this week handed a two-year sentence for two convictions of violent disorder at a Limerick city nightclub in December 2019.

Limerick manager John Kiely, alongside Kyle Hayes. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

John Kiely has insisted his appearance as a character witness for Kyle Hayes did not mean he condoned the Limerick hurler’s behaviour inside and outside a nightclub in 2019.

Speaking at the launch of the Munster senior hurling championship in Cahir this afternoon, Kiely expressed his relief that the case has ended and Hayes had not received a custodial sentence.

The 25-year-old was given a two-year suspended sentence for two convictions of violent disorder at a Limerick city nightclub in December 2019.

Kiely spoke in defence of Hayes at the Circuit Court in January but maintained he did so as a demonstration of support for his player and nothing else.

“I think my presence, I wouldn’t have gone there unless I wanted to show him that I was there to support him but also that it doesn’t mean I’m condoning what happened at all, quite the contrary. Listen, it’s over, it has been dealt with by the courts, we move on.” 

Kiely said he was relieved the criminal case was over. "I'm glad that it has come to an end. Very much looking towards the future now. I know Kyle is looking towards the future as well and pushing on. That's it, really. Just glad that it has come to a conclusion."

Asked how difficult a situation it was, Kiely responded: "Listen, none of this is easy for anybody and you'd rather not be in that situation. These challenges are obviously there for everybody involved.

“But ultimately it's down to the individuals who are directly involved. For all their sakes, I'm sure they're glad that this part of it has come to a close."

Hayes will not be available for Saturday’s Division 1 semi-final against Kilkenny as he nurses an ankle injury. His only appearance in the campaign thus far was the win over Dublin in Croke Park last month.

"Kyle has trained really well over the last number of months. He has a bit of an ankle injury at the moment. He's very much enjoying his hurling in the last couple of months but obviously there's a challenge there when you pick up injuries in terms of trying to get back to a position where you're finding improvements.

“For every player who picks up an injury, and we have quite a few injured at the moment, at this time of year you'd rather be training because you want to be getting stronger, you want to be getting sharper and you want to be involved. You don't want to be inside in the gym or on a physio table so all the lads that are injured at the moment are very anxious to get back on the training field."