Ronan Hayes: 'Liam Rushe an asset with experience, respect and great skillset'

IN NO RUSHE: Liam Rushe of Na Fianna. Pic: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

Ronan Hayes thinks it would be easy to underestimate the impact of Liam Rushe’s return to the Dublin hurling panel.

The two-time All-Star hasn’t played for the Dubs in four years, although he did marshal Na Fianna to an All-Ireland Club title in that time.

His former club manager, Niall Ó Ceallacháin, has finally been able to lure the 35-year-old back into the fold.

“The value he adds to the group is maybe not appreciated as much as would be known within Dublin hurling and within the group,” said Hayes.

“Just his experience, the respect that the players and the management group both have for him, and then the skillset that he has. He’s a tremendous hurler and a brilliant athlete, so he’s definitely an asset to have in our group.

“He brings a different skillset to some of the players that we have in our team at the moment. If you're looking to be successful, you need the best possible options at your disposal and lads that are willing to commit and hopefully bring Dublin hurling to the next level. Rushey adds to that.” 

Hayes has been impressed by the TG4 pundit’s fitness levels since he resumed inter-county training.

“Liam has played to a very high level in the past, has continued to play at a high level in Dublin, and has had great success at Na Fianna. The type of person he is, he keeps himself in great condition.

“I don't think it's much of an adjustment for him coming back in.” 

Rushe made his name at centre-back for Dublin, but also won an All-Star at midfield and later switched to the forwards. Under Ó Ceallacháin, Rushe played at six for Na Fianna. The county manager says he has yet to pick a role for his returning star.

“It’s hard to say,” says Hayes. “It speaks to Rushey’s abilities that he's able to play wherever he's asked. The type of person he is and the teammate he is, he'd be willing to play wherever is required of him.

“We'll just have to wait and see. But like the rest of lads, he's putting his best foot forward in terms of competing for a starting jersey, wherever that might be.” 

The Division 1B final against Clare is “an added bonus” and “the best sort of preparation” for their Leinster Championship opener away to Offaly.

Dublin were narrowly defeated by the Banner on their first day out, but they have improved since then.

“We put ourselves in a position to win a game when maybe we didn't deserve to. We definitely weren't at our best,” says Hayes.

“It benefitted us in the long run across the league. We learnt a lot about ourselves and we were able to fix some things.

“We're going from strength to strength at the moment, so hopefully that will continue into the championship.”