POPULAR TIPPERARY SENIOR hurling team kit man John ‘Hotpoint’ Hayes has been told that he is surplus to requirements – after 30 years of service.
Hayes was summoned to a meeting by county board chairman Michael Bourke at Semple Stadium on Sunday, with vice-chairman John Devane also present, and the bombshell news was delivered.
It is understood that Hayes, who began working with the Tipperary senior team in 1988, is extremely disappointed with the manner in which he was informed that he will no longer be working with the Premier county.
During his three decades with the seniors, Hayes has missed just a handful of training sessions.
He’s also worked with Tipp teams in other grades, and Munster interprovincial sides through the years.
Sources have indicated that news of his departure was broken to Tipperary squad members on their WhatsApp group early this week, and some of them have contacted him to send best wishes.
Hayes provided his services on an entirely voluntary basis, and was regularly seen on match-days racing onto the pitch to supply players with replacement hurleys smashed in the heat of battle.
Hayes was also responsible for looking after the gear and equipment for the Tipp team.
It is believed that this move is part of a backroom shake-up by senior team manager Michael Ryan, with other potential changes in the offing.
Brian Horgan, Tipp’s 1995 All-Ireland U21 winning captain, has also left the set-up.
Horgan, from the Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams club, had been working with the squad’s goalkeepers as coach for the past two seasons.
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Lisandro Martinez all day long.
@Brian Dunne: they don’t even have him on the bench… Unbelievable ha
@Brian Dunne: very good player but being part of a back 4 that conceded 3 against villa, 6 against city and 4 against Brentford probably negates it.
@Brian Dunne: united have taken some wallopings this season with Martinez at the back. 6 against City, was taken off at half time when they were 4 nil down at Brentford etc. Couldn’t have him near it if your being honest with your selection
@Brian Dunne: I think the jury are still out on him a bit, the defence looks weak when Varane isn’t there. I said before that United first 11 are good but when there’s any changes made at all they are exposed and it’s like watching last season again.
Alisson best GK by far. Xhaka ahead of Silva.
The state of this.
Trossard ahead of saka all day long on form this season.
Oh dear those numbers on that team image would haunt me. Get Haaland in the 9, get the right and left fulls in 2, 3. Get Rodri in 6, wingers 7 and 11. I can’t be the only one bugged by that numbering.
@Lorcan O’Toole: Guessing you were never a fan of watching El Shaawary or Ballotelli then…
Granit Xhaka has had a great season to date so id include him instead of rodri possibly
@Justin Flynn: very under the radar. He’s been excellent. Looks like he’s got them moments of stupidity out of his game also.
5 players from Man City, 4 from Newcastle, and only 2 from Arsenal. Remind me again, who is top of the league, and have been for quite a while?
Dalot at Right Full Back
@Lord Lurgan: jesus
@Darren Fitzpatrick: he is a striker
1.Haaland 2..Haaland ,3 Haaland 4.
No. As a man city fan I can say Cancelo and Rodri have been far from their best and should be nowhere near this team.
Where’s Harry Maguire???FFS!
@John Arsey: on the beach or the bench.
@John Arsey: in Cheshire
No Alisson… scandalous
@Damien Leen: lol
Every time I hear or read salibas name “tequila” automatically plays in my mind
@Pol Mlp: this makes me happy.
Saka and Almiron shouldn’t be in there. Saka has been good but not amazing. Martinelli and Odegaard have been just as good. Their combination is the reason for arsenals good season rather than any of them individually. Almiron has been good the last few weeks but he was nowhere to found the first 8-10 games. Kane and Salah should be in there. Spurs and Liverpool would be nowhere near where they are without them
Ah stop would ya!! No mention of Martin Odegaard?!