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After 30 years of voluntary service, Tipperary ditch hurling team kit man Hotpoint Hayes

It’s believed to be part of backroom shake-up by manager Michael Ryan.

POPULAR TIPPERARY SENIOR hurling team kit man John ‘Hotpoint’ Hayes has been told that he is surplus to requirements – after 30 years of service.

John Hotpoint Hayes John Kelly / INPHO John Kelly / INPHO / INPHO

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.

Michael Ryan celebrates Michael Ryan celebrates the 2016 All-Ireland semi-final win with John 'Hotpoint' Hayes. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

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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    Mute Gerry Ivie
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    Oct 11th 2017, 6:18 AM

    Earth shattering news. The world has changed forever.

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    Mute Jamie
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    Oct 11th 2017, 8:01 AM

    Typical GAA, toss you to one side when you’re surplus to requirements forgetting all the hard work dedication people give. An awful way for this man to be treated after giving up so much of his life he’ll probably be replaced by someone who will get paid for doing the job

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    Mute Jamie
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    Oct 11th 2017, 8:35 AM

    @Jamie: a job for one the boys

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    Mute Cathal
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    Oct 11th 2017, 10:22 AM

    @Jamie: Tossing lads out? Paying kit men? You’re just making it up as you go along. What have you got against the GAA

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    Mute Jamie
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    Oct 11th 2017, 11:41 AM

    @Cathal: keep your head buried there buddy

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    Mute John Hayes
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    Oct 11th 2017, 6:32 AM

    Jokes on them I never looked after the gear. All joking aside what could that lad be doing that’d need a shake up ? If he fuk’d up on a good few occasions you’d say ok. Sad for him really.

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    Mute Joanne Geraghty
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    Oct 11th 2017, 7:16 AM

    Doesnt matter how dedicated or how much voluntary time you’ve given up… when theyre done with you they are ruthless. Best of luck to them replacing him. Class of his own.

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    Mute Sean Lawlor
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    Oct 11th 2017, 9:08 AM

    Very harsh on the chap, I know he was an extremely popular individual within the squad. Seems a very strange thing to do

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    Mute The don
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    Oct 11th 2017, 9:31 AM

    They will have to get someone with a similar sort of name, i know a willy ‘whirlpool’ walsh, he’d be perfect for the job.

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    Mute Peter Mulligan
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    Oct 11th 2017, 7:39 AM

    Whoever replaces Hotpoint has a big pair of boots to fill, Good luck with that !

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    Mute filthypete
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    Oct 11th 2017, 8:17 AM

    Somebody’s buddy needed a few extra euro and a personalised kit of their own at this man’s expense.

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    Mute Tomás Fenton
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    Oct 11th 2017, 9:34 PM

    @filthypete: no doubt Hotpoint was someone else’s buddy to be there that long in the first place… how a fellah can be just left in the same job for 30 years and no one allowed question him? Don’t know the ins and the outs but Michael Ryan certainly not someone who messes around. I’m sure there’s good reason.

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    Mute Jane
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    Oct 11th 2017, 10:44 AM

    Disappointing from the Tipp management.

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    Mute Liam Ahern
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    Oct 11th 2017, 6:54 PM

    No testimonial for “Hotpoint” or all the thousands of volunteers in the GAA!,
    These people are unsung heroes!

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    Mute Katie
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    Oct 11th 2017, 9:18 AM

    Shamateurism at it’s finest

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    Mute DuskyTheCat
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    Oct 11th 2017, 11:13 PM

    Hot point heading for the whirlpool ..

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    Mute Lord Clanricarde
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    Oct 11th 2017, 8:36 AM

    Whoop de fcuking doo!

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    Mute Ciarán Ó Duifinn
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    Oct 12th 2017, 11:01 AM

    In the large scheme of things, what way did he want to be told ? Ryan go to his door or something ?

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    Mute running man
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    Oct 12th 2017, 1:24 PM

    @Ciarán Ó Duifinn: Eh yeah…..

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