Hayes not reading into Dublin versus Munster dynamic

PwC GAA/GPA Player of the Month for May in hurling, Brian Hayes of Dublin, with his award. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Brian Hayes says he isn't taking much heed of Dublin's poor record against Munster opposition ahead of their make-or-break clash with Clare.

All-Ireland quarter-final opponents Clare have already beaten the Dubs twice this season, both in the League, contributing to a terrible run of results for the capital county against teams from Munster.

Dublin's shock win over Limerick at the quarter-final stage in 2025 is their only win from 11 League and Championship ties against Munster opposition, stretching back to early 2022.

They beat Tipperary in a League game in February of 2022, which was also their last competitive win in Thurles, where Saturday's game will be played.

In the last 10 seasons, Dublin have taken on Munster opposition 27 times across the League and Championship and won just five times, four of those coming in the League.

It's a glass ceiling that Dublin need to smash through if they're to prolong this season's campaign and match their All-Ireland semi-final appearance of 2025.

"We probably haven't really thought about it like that, to be honest," said PwC GAA/GAA Hurler of the Month for May, Hayes, about the Dublin versus Munster dynamic.

"We've played Clare twice this year and they've beaten us both times. You just look at those games, and look at the Leinster final and try to get right what we need to get right, particularly that intensity and work rate out of possession, and our energy levels on the day (against Galway) probably weren't right. 

"That's what we'll be focusing on and we'll be gearing towards that side of things for Thurles on Saturday."

Hayes landed his individual award following a series of strong displays in the Leinster round-robin, particularly against Kilkenny at Parnell Park.

But the wheels came off for Dublin in the provincial final with 4-29 conceded, bringing back painful memories of last year's seven-goal drubbing by Cork at the same venue.

"We probably only hurled for about 15 minutes in all to a good level," said midfielder Hayes of the Leinster final. "We had chances to kick on, in particular at half time and after the goal in the first half, and again after the penalty we scored. We'd be disappointed that we didn't take that chance and we didn't have the right energy and intensity on the day. There's a lot for us to look at."

Bouncing back from that 14-point defeat with a win over the 2024 All-Ireland champions will be all the more difficult if Dublin are missing key players.

All-Star Cian O'Sullivan didn't feature at all against Galway while former All-Star Liam Rushe, captain Chris Crummey and Brendan Kenny all came off with fresh injuries.

Hayes had no information to give on whether they'll be fit to feature this weekend but insisted their squad is strong enough to cope with any setbacks.

"We're very confident in the depth that we have on our panel and the strength," said the Kilmacud Crokes man. "It has been strong all year. You have to deal with injuries. We had injuries before that Kilkenny game and it was just next man up. It'll be the same for this weekend."

Hayes rejected the suggestion that the occasion and weight of expectation got to Dublin against Galway.

The shoe is on the other foot now with Clare favourites to win in Thurles and Dublin the considerable underdogs.

Hayes has identified it as another opportunity to score a statement win for the county having defeated Limerick, Galway and Kilkenny in Championship encounters in the last 12 months.

"We'd certainly take confidence from the result (against Limerick) and from the game, particularly our performance that day," said the 23-year-old. "We'd be looking to definitely do something similar. We had it in a few of the games as well during the recent Leinster campaign. All of our focus and attention is going to be on delivering a similar display in terms of our performance and improving on those key bits from the Galway game.

"I thought our energy on that day against Limerick and our work rate was there in abundance, which you need against any of these good teams. And from here on out, all you're facing is good teams so we'll be focusing on that for sure."