Fans question GAA's decision to hand Kyle Hayes fifth All-Star

However, many on social media took umbrage with the fact that controversial hurler Kyle Hayes was awarded his fifth title for his work with the Limerick hurlers.

Hayes helped Limerick win their sixth Munster title in a row and was part of the historic five-in-a-row-chasing side that narrowly lost to Cork in this year’s semi-final, but the 26-year-old has made headlines on the pitch for the right reasons but has also garnered negative attention off it.

Last December, Hayes received a two-year suspended sentence after being convicted of two counts of violent disorder at the Icon nightclub, Limerick, on October 28, 2019. In September, he was also handed a two-year driving ban for dangerous driving.

Hayes was recently back in court for the re-entry of his suspended sentence, triggered by the dangerous driving conviction. However, Limerick Circuit Court couldn't proceed with the section 99 hearing, as Hayes is appealing the conviction. The hearing was adjourned until December 9.

Kyle Hayes of Limerick is tackled (Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Shortly after the awards ceremony on Saturday, fans on social media criticised the GAA’s decision to honour the talented but controversial hurler with another All-Star, calling it “disgusting.”

One user on X said, "The GAA have never given two shites about dissenting voices about one of their own. Kyle Hayes should never have been nominated in the first place. We always hope our loved ones are safe on a night out. Disgusting." Another added, "Kyle Hayes gets an All-Star. Once upon a time, you couldn’t get an All-Star if you were sent off in an inter-county game in the year. What repercussions has he faced? Absolutely none. Carried on playing & then gets an All-Star; no wonder he thinks he can do what he wants."

However, some defended the hurler, pointing out the hypocrisy of others. "Kyle Hayes was trending last night, but remember a Tipp man glassed a fella, a Corkman gave a reference to a sex offender, a Kilkenny player pretended he had cancer, and a Clare man attacked a 12-year-old boy. Hayes was totally wrong, but save your outrage, Karen," said one user on X. Another commented, "What Kyle Hayes did off the pitch was both disgusting and reprehensible. But what he’s done on the pitch for Limerick this year has been exceptional, and he deserves an All-Star for that. It’s not the Role Model of the Year awards."

The PwC All-Stars are selected by a panel of Gaelic Games correspondents across various media platforms such as radio, print, and TV.