Kyle Hayes warms up for All-Ireland semi-final with first harness racing victory

The versatile Limerick star made his debut in the sport late last year.

Limerick hurler Kyle Hayes enjoyed his first harness race victory with Someone’s Fantasy at the George Deane Memorial Day in Dunmanway at the weekend. Picture: Irish Harness Racing Association

Limerick hurler Kyle Hayes enjoys an occasional second sporting career as a driver in harness racing, a form of racing where horses pull a two-wheeled cart known as a sulky.

The versatile 6 foot 5 star made his debut in sport late last year, racing a horse he part owns, Newtown Shadow.

And the Irish Harness Racing Association reported today that Hayes had his first win this weekend in a race in Dunmanway in west Cork.

The victory came driving Someone’s Fantasy, a horse owned by the C&H syndicate and trained by Jamie Cross, with Hayes wearing the green and white colours of Limerick.

He is expected to line out for John Kiely's hurlers against Cork in next Sunday's All-Ireland SHC semi-final.

And he is scheduled to race again the following weekend in Clonakilty.

The IHRA wrote "Congratulations to Kyle Hayes getting his first win in harness racing today at the George Deane Memorial Day in Dunmanway. Kyle drove Someone’s Fantasy owned by C&H syndicate and trainer by Jamie Cross..

"Kyle will be back on the bike again in the 13/14 July at the Richard Phelan Memorial weekend in Lyre Clonakilty, after he helps Limerick against Cork in the All Ireland Hurling semi final next Sunday in Croke Park."