Psychologist Jennifer Hayes joins Cork U20 football setup for 2025 season

Dr Jennifer Hayes is set to join the Cork U20 footballers as a sports psychologist for the coming season, a welcome addition to Ray O’Mahony’s setup.

With a proven track record – boosted by further successful spells last year, Hayes will be a huge asset to the Cork U20s as she returns to an inter-county setup.

Last year Glen Rovers as they made their return to Premier Senior at the first time of asking and did so with the use of Hayes’ services.

SUCCESS

Aghada’s senior ladies’ footballers then won their first ever Cork Senior A title with a win over Éire Óg on the same day – and again, Hayes was an integral factor in that success. While Aghada’s Munster hopes came to an end against Waterford’s Comeragh Rangers – it was still a hugely successful season for the club.

No doubt Hayes was hugely important to that.

The psychologist’s only missed title last year was with Ben O’Connor’s Cork U20 hurlers, who were denied a Munster final win by Tipperary, albeit controversially. William Buckley’s short point attempt went over the line, without either umpire or the referee noticing the missed goal.

Prior to that, Hayes was involved with O’Connor’s side as the Rebels achieved the Munster and All-Ireland double in 2023 and she was also a key part of the Midleton set up in 2021 and Fr O’Neill’s in 2022, as both years proved to be title winning seasons for the east Cork clubs.

Midleton edged out Glen Rovers to capture their first Premier Senior hurling title since 2013, while the Ballymacoda/Ladysbridge side were victorious against Courcey Rovers in 2022, as they secured promotion to the top grade.

While last year wasn’t an awful season by any means for the Cork U20 footballers – hopes would have been higher for O’Mahony’s side, who came up short against Kerry at both times of asking.

Wins over Clare and Tipperary were overshadowed as the Rebels fell to Kerry in the provincial decider, losing by six points in Austin Stack Park last May.

They also suffered a four-point defeat in the round 2 fixture against the Kingdom in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Hayes’ role with the Cork U20 footballers marks her first venture into men’s football, and will no doubt be beneficial for not only their long-term development – but also performance levels throughout 2025.

Not since 2019 have the Rebels tasted All-Ireland football success at U20 level – a fact that Hayes will be keen to change in the coming season.

The Rebels’ championship season gets underway when they face the winner of phase 1 (either Tipperary, Clare or Limerick) on April 1. A trip to Kerry follows on April 8, while the phase 1 runner-up will travel to a Cork venue on April 15.