The Hayes name shining again as St Finbarr's chase another Munster crown

The year 2025 keeps on giving for St Finbarr’s.

A county and league double already secured. A Munster football final with Dingle on the horizon. Their camogie team, Munster champions too, bound for Croke Park and a first ever All-Ireland final. And next year, the club will mark its 150th anniversary.

It is, by any measure, a golden spell for the Togher men and women.

A narrow win over Clonmel Commercials in the quarter-final. A demolition of Éire Óg Ennis in the last four. And now another shot at Munster glory, four years on from their 2021 triumph.

But in all that collective surge, one individual display stole the show.

Brian Hayes – better known to most for his red jersey exploits with the Cork hurlers – kicked 3-3 from play in a semi-final performance that will long be remembered in St Finbarr’s folklore.

That this same man hit 0-3 from play in their last Munster final win tells its own story of evolution. In an era where the supposed dual star no longer exists, Brian is one of the few that can do both.

Four seasons on though, a Kerry opposition await once again in the Munster final. Last time it was Austin Stacks, this time Dingle, Kerry champions for the first-time in 77 years.

EXCEPTIONAL

And while Brian’s form has become one of the talking points of the club campaign, for his father Paddy, himself steeped in Barrs tradition and an All-Ireland winner with the club, the pride runs far deeper.

“He's had a fantastic year,” Paddy begins. “He's just playing fantastic football. He was exceptional in the county final. It's not all about Brian, it's a team effort.

“If you read the papers, obviously scoring 3-3 in a match. When you have someone like Jimmy Barry-Murphy saying he was just awesome, it's great,” Paddy explains. “He's just in great form at the moment. He's had a great year, bar losing an All-Ireland hurling final.” 

Paddy Hayes has seen every step of it, having been on the sideline for so many of Brian’s teams down the years.

“I was involved in a lot of his teams growing up. I just steered him in the right direction.

“I was involved when we won the county in 2021 and when we won Munster. I was involved that year as a selector with Paul O'Keeffe, Jim Donoghue, Ian Keeler, Mick Cummins and Eric Barrett. It's a huge commitment.” Still, being selector and father isn’t always the easiest blend.

“I don't particularly like being involved when he's involved,” Paddy admits. “Not that there’re any decisions to be made whether he's playing or not, he's good enough to be starting on the team all the time.

“He doesn't mind me being there, because as I said I've been involved in all his teams from underage up. He's used to me being around the place. We have some good chats about games, after games and how fellas played and how he played, it’s normal stuff really. Father and son stuff!” 

In a season where everything seems to be falling into place for the Barrs, the Hayes story sits neatly within it. They’re one win away from Munster glory, and should they pull off that task, the journey will continue into the new year.