Brian Hayes backs Dublin to compete with 'anyone in the country'

Michael Bolton

As Dublin reflects on what went wrong in the Leinster final, Brian Hayes is going into their All-Ireland quarter-final against Clare with confidence.

Dublin topped the group in the Leinster championship, with dramatic wins away to Galway and home to Kilkenny helping them claim top spot and knocking the Cats out in the process.

Aiming for their first Leinster title since 2013, the Tribesmen inflicted a heavy defeat on the Boys in Blue in Croke Park.

Key to Dublin's success has been Hayes, whose performances earned him the PwC GAA/GPA Player of the Month award for May.

Speaking after receiving his award, Hayes said Dublin must keep their heads up ahead of the quarter-final against Clare.

"We were all disappointed, disappointed in our performance and the result.

"But, you know, the good thing is that we have another competition to look forward to in a week and a half's time. We have an All-Ireland quarter-final that we're preparing for, so we just have to dust ourselves down. We’re really looking forward to that now.

"I suppose you spend the next, you know, one-and-a-half or two days with the lads. You're together as a team, so that always helps.

"It's a matter of you not really having a choice. You have to start looking forward towards two weeks, the next campaign, and the next championship.

"That's what we just have to do, so, whether we want to or whether we're ready to or not, it's what we're doing."

It was the quarter-final stage last season which made fans across the country take notice of this Dublin side, as they defeated Limerick in the shock of the championship.

After exiting in the round robin stage last season, Clare has regrouped, finishing third in Munster and defeating Dublin in the 1B league final in April.

The progress is there for all to see in this Dublin side 12 months on, as Hayes looks back on that famous day with fond memories.

“Those results can help you build that confidence. Internally, in our panel, we have the belief that we are at that level when we get everything right.

"Those games where it does come off, they are good as a form to pull from and get evidence from that. When we are on our game and when we are at it and bring everything we have, we can compete with anyone in the country.”

Brian is not the only member of his family on the team, with Ronan also vital to this Dublin side.

The Kilmacud Crokes duo both scored goals in the round robin victory over Galway, as they have enjoyed some big days for club and county together.

While the focus for the Hayes family now is to do what they can to get Dublin results, they will look back on these days in years to come.

"It's special, playing with your brother, having good days out on the pitch together. It's always nice, and you'll probably appreciate it a bit more when we're both, you know, not playing anymore, and we're that bit older.

"It's great for our family as well…it's special.

"I suppose maybe the fact that it's, you know, different positions, we wouldn't be directly competing.

"But no, like I think really between us it's all just everything, really about the team and results.

"It kind of plays second fiddle to what part you play in that, like the four players were both massive hurling fans and Dublin fans. So, no I don't think there's much competition.

"I would give him a bit of slagging if you know he's not pulling his weight and stuff like that.

"There is that bit of stuff between your brother, but there's not too much competition between the two of us."