In a decorated career, Hayes won virtually every medal in the game apart from an elusive All-Ireland — he was an unused sub in the 2001 final against Tipperary and also featured the 2005 and 2012 finals.
He made a record 52 Championship appearances for Galway, scoring 25 goals in the process, though he has found game time harder to come by of late.
Speaking following the news, the player — who also won four All-Ireland club titles with Portumna – said:
“I’ve loved my time with Galway and don’t regret a single minute of it. Yes, not winning an All-Ireland was unfortunate. But I see that as a disappointment, not the end of the world.
“I’m extremely proud to have won a Leinster and two National League medals, I made great friends in the Galway dressing-room and I will always back the current players to win that first All-Ireland since 1988.”
He added that he had contemplated the decision over Christmas and said he would continue hurling for Portumna.
Three-time All Star Damien Hayes announces retirement from inter-county hurling
Updated at 19.42
GALWAY’S DAMIEN HAYES, who won three All Stars over the course of his career, has today announced his retirement from inter-county hurling.
In a decorated career, Hayes won virtually every medal in the game apart from an elusive All-Ireland — he was an unused sub in the 2001 final against Tipperary and also featured the 2005 and 2012 finals.
He made a record 52 Championship appearances for Galway, scoring 25 goals in the process, though he has found game time harder to come by of late.
Speaking following the news, the player — who also won four All-Ireland club titles with Portumna – said:
“I’ve loved my time with Galway and don’t regret a single minute of it. Yes, not winning an All-Ireland was unfortunate. But I see that as a disappointment, not the end of the world.
“I’m extremely proud to have won a Leinster and two National League medals, I made great friends in the Galway dressing-room and I will always back the current players to win that first All-Ireland since 1988.”
He added that he had contemplated the decision over Christmas and said he would continue hurling for Portumna.
First published at 14.18
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All-Stars Damien Hayes inter-county hurling Galway Kilkenny Tipperary Wave Goodbye