IT WAS THE glance backwards that betrayed the truth behind the real John Hayes.
This was his moment in the limelight, the minute or two that tens of thousands of Munster supporters within the walls of Thomond Park – and further afield – would get to show their appreciation for over a decade’s worth of hard work and consistent determination.
Yet as the man they lovingly called ‘The Bull’ ran from the players’ tunnel, he turned his head backwards, searching for his team-mates and willing them to appear quickly so that the fuss would end and the game could start.
They didn’t of course, wanting their team-mate to get every possible plaudit – aware that he hasn’t always been given such time in the past.
John Hayes never did the glamourous stuff. He didn’t sprint the length of a pitch to score a winning try, he rarely found himself with ball in hand and he most certainly never landed a vital drop goal such as those Ronan O’Gara has landed in recent weeks.
Yet there were times when pundits and fans alike despaired when they began to ponder life post-Hayes.
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Just as he had his supporters, he also had his critics. Many outside of the province of Munster wondered why the 38-year-old was even considered for a place on the plane to New Zealand earlier this year and while he didn’t make the final cut, the squad would not have been weaker with his inclusion.
Instead, he was asked to remain fit and available and subsequently enjoyed an additional (and unexpected) four months playing in the jersey that has made him a household name to many rugby supporters around the world.
One of the greatest tributes paid to Hayes was by his then Ireland boss Eddie O’Sullivan ahead of the World Cup in 2007. Being forced to once again defend the man that had always served him well, the Corkman was quick to point out some of the strengths the Limerick man cultivated as part of his game.
Hayes could lift Paul O’Connell on his own, O’Sullivan insisted. Something which gave Ireland and Munster crucial additional options at the lineout.
People also had to remember his size and give him credit for being able to work in the environment he did, O’Sullivan continued. Props are generally small and squat you see but Hayes is tall and powerful, and still had to get his body into a front row filled with shorter men time and time again. This, physically, was a considerable accomplishment.
Hayes didn’t move anywhere with particular haste. But where he did go consistently and without fail was the back of a ruck or maul where he knew exactly what to do to help his team-mates retain possession and drive back at opponents.
He may never have been involved in much of the fancy stuff but he carried out the basics of the game – important in any victory – repeatedly and without fail.
For such a private man, the emotion on his face as Ireland prepared to face England at Croke Park in 2007 brought a lump to many an Irish throat. ‘Look at John Hayes,’ we cried, as the hair tingling began.
No Munster man or woman was too surprised to hear that he didn’t feel like taking part in the Grand Slam celebrations in Dublin two years later and just went home while the rest of his team-mates basked in the glory. No surprise either that the media attention in the run up to his 100th Irish cap last year (February 2010) ‘killed’ him, according to Donncha O’Callaghan.
The second row even paid a touching tribute to Hayes later the same year:
By the end of Monday night’s win over Connacht, Hayes did seem to be enjoying the crowd’s reaction to his final game. One thing is for certain though, Munster and Irish Rugby will never see his like again.
Irish rugby stars pay tribute as John Hayes plays for the final time
IT WAS THE glance backwards that betrayed the truth behind the real John Hayes.
This was his moment in the limelight, the minute or two that tens of thousands of Munster supporters within the walls of Thomond Park – and further afield – would get to show their appreciation for over a decade’s worth of hard work and consistent determination.
Yet as the man they lovingly called ‘The Bull’ ran from the players’ tunnel, he turned his head backwards, searching for his team-mates and willing them to appear quickly so that the fuss would end and the game could start.
They didn’t of course, wanting their team-mate to get every possible plaudit – aware that he hasn’t always been given such time in the past.
[caption id="attachment_314591" align="alignnone" width="630" caption="(INPHO/Billy Stickland)"]
[/caption]
John Hayes never did the glamourous stuff. He didn’t sprint the length of a pitch to score a winning try, he rarely found himself with ball in hand and he most certainly never landed a vital drop goal such as those Ronan O’Gara has landed in recent weeks.
Yet there were times when pundits and fans alike despaired when they began to ponder life post-Hayes.
Just as he had his supporters, he also had his critics. Many outside of the province of Munster wondered why the 38-year-old was even considered for a place on the plane to New Zealand earlier this year and while he didn’t make the final cut, the squad would not have been weaker with his inclusion.
Instead, he was asked to remain fit and available and subsequently enjoyed an additional (and unexpected) four months playing in the jersey that has made him a household name to many rugby supporters around the world.
One of the greatest tributes paid to Hayes was by his then Ireland boss Eddie O’Sullivan ahead of the World Cup in 2007. Being forced to once again defend the man that had always served him well, the Corkman was quick to point out some of the strengths the Limerick man cultivated as part of his game.
Hayes could lift Paul O’Connell on his own, O’Sullivan insisted. Something which gave Ireland and Munster crucial additional options at the lineout.
People also had to remember his size and give him credit for being able to work in the environment he did, O’Sullivan continued. Props are generally small and squat you see but Hayes is tall and powerful, and still had to get his body into a front row filled with shorter men time and time again. This, physically, was a considerable accomplishment.
Hayes didn’t move anywhere with particular haste. But where he did go consistently and without fail was the back of a ruck or maul where he knew exactly what to do to help his team-mates retain possession and drive back at opponents.
He may never have been involved in much of the fancy stuff but he carried out the basics of the game – important in any victory – repeatedly and without fail.
For such a private man, the emotion on his face as Ireland prepared to face England at Croke Park in 2007 brought a lump to many an Irish throat. ‘Look at John Hayes,’ we cried, as the hair tingling began.
YouTube credit: docathail
No Munster man or woman was too surprised to hear that he didn’t feel like taking part in the Grand Slam celebrations in Dublin two years later and just went home while the rest of his team-mates basked in the glory. No surprise either that the media attention in the run up to his 100th Irish cap last year (February 2010) ‘killed’ him, according to Donncha O’Callaghan.
The second row even paid a touching tribute to Hayes later the same year:
YouTube credit: IRB
By the end of Monday night’s win over Connacht, Hayes did seem to be enjoying the crowd’s reaction to his final game. One thing is for certain though, Munster and Irish Rugby will never see his like again.
Long live The Bull!
READ - Hayes bows out as Munster cruise to win over Connacht
In pictures – John ‘The Bull’ Hayes bids a fond farewell to Munster
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Eddie O'Sullivan Ireland John Hayes Munster One of a Kind