John Kiely says Kyle Hayes is 'looking towards the future' after suspended sentence

LIMERICK senior hurling manager John Kiely said Kyle Hayes was 'very much looking towards the future and pushing on' after fully suspended jail sentences were imposed on the five-time All-Ireland medal winner for two counts of violent disorder at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court on Wednesday.

Judge Dermot Sheehan imposed an 18-month prison sentence for the violent disorder in the Icon and a concurrent two year jail sentence for the violent disorder on Upper Denmark Street on Hayes.

Judge Sheehan said an immediate custodial sentence is not 'appropriate' and society will not benefit from Mr Hayes going to prison.

Speaking at the launch of the Munster senior hurling and football championships in Cahir, Co Tipperary this Thursday, Limerick manager Kiely said he was glad the matter had come to an end.

John Kiely said: "I am glad it has come to an end, very much looking towards the future now and I know Kyle is very much looking towards the future now as well and pushing on. 

"That is it really, just glad it has come to a conclusion."

Asked how difficult it had been, Kiely added: "None of this is easy for anyone. You would rather not be in that situation and these challenges are there for everyone obviously involved, but ultimately it is down to the individuals who are directly involved. I am sure, for all their sakes, I am sure they are glad that this part of it has come to a close."

John Kiely gave a character reference for Kyle Hayes at an earlier court sitting in relation to the case in January. In his character reference, the Limerick boos said two violent disorder incidents involving Hayes were “very disappointing” but that “every young man deserves a second chance”.

“I think my presence, I wouldn’t have gone there unless I wanted to show him that I was there to support him but also that it doesn’t mean I’m condoning what happened at all, quite the contrary. Listen, it’s over, it has been dealt with by the courts, we move on.” 

Asked if he believed whether Kyle Hayes was in right frame of mind to crack on with top level hurling career, the Limerick manager said the multiple All-Star winner had been very much enjoying his hurling the last couple of month.

"Kyle has trained really well over the last number of months. He has a bit of an ankle injury at the moment. He is very much enjoying his hurling the last couple of months, but obviously when you pick up injuries there is a challenge there in terms of trying to get back and get back to a position where you are finding improvements, so for for every player who picks up an injury, we have quite a few injuries at the minute, at this time of the year you would rather be training because you want to be getting stronger, you want to be getting sharper and you want to be involved," John Kiely said.

"You don't want to be inside in the gym or on a physio table, so for all the lads that are injured at the moment, they are very anxious to get back on the training field."

The Limerick manager confirmed that Hayes would not be involved in Limerick's Allianz Hurling League Division 1 semi-final with Kilkenny on Saturday due to injury.