DJ Carey | Eugene Cloonan | Martin Comerford | Brendan Cummins
Ronan Curran | Gar Farragher | James 'cha' Fitzpatrick | Paul Flynn
John Gardiner | Niall Gilligan | Damian Hayes | Conal Keaney | Eoin Kelly
Eoin Larkin | Fergus McMahon | Andrew Mitchell | Pat Mulcahy
Sean Óg Ó Hailpin | Ben O'Connor | Joe Rabbite | Dan Shanahan
Henry Shefflin | Tommy Walsh
It’s been an eventful year for Portumna’s star striker, Damien Hayes. Just six months after playing in an All-Ireland final with Galway against Cork, he is back in Croker, this time to battle for the highest honour in the club game against the mighty Newtownshandrum.
The 2005 All-Star helped guide Portumna to county success this year, winning their second county championship in three years with victory over Loughrea. With another Connacht title in the bag, they put on a powerhouse performance in the Club semi-final in Thurles to dispose of Kilkenny’s James Stephen’s in a scoreline of 2-17 to 0-11. Damien was outstanding on the day and a lethal forward line is developing with the likes of Joe Canning and Andrew Smith.
After losing out to Dunloy in the 2003 Club semi-final, Damien and his teammates are itching at a chance to redeem themselves and show the rest of the country what they are capable of.
What has been your greatest moment in sport?
Winning our first county final with Portumna in 2003 against Loughrea was really special. This was our breakthrough and we haven’t looked back since.
Who are the toughest teams you have faced?
The Clare and Kilkenny Senior hurling teams are up there with the best of them. They are always tough games with not much between the sides at the end.
Who was the toughest opponent you have ever faced?
It has to be Frank Lohan from Clare. He is a fantastic defender and never gives you any room.
How do you balance your job and hurling?
I can be tough enough at times. Getting time off is not too bad but after a Thursday or Friday night training session I would be physically very tired in work the next day.
Which player do you admire the most?
Ollie Canning, my Portumna teammate, and also Armagh’s Kieren McGeeney, a real pro who has been playing at the highest level for a long time.
Who was your childhood sporting hero?
I couldn’t single one out but Angela Downey, Jamesie O'Connor, Joe Cooney and Roy Keane were and still are big heroes of mine.
What club do you play for and who are your biggest rivals?
All of the club teams in Galway at the moment are very strong so no one team stands out for me, they are all tough to play against. This is good in the sense that we always get good challenging games.
Do you play any other sports?
I play junior rugby with Portumna and I also love Swimming.
What are your hopes for the future?
Without looking too far ahead, I would love to win the All-Ireland Club Championship. There is a great buzz in Portumna and it would be some feeling to bring the Tommy Moore Cup west over the Shannon.
What advice would you give to young players?
There's too much pressure on kids these days. I think they should just try to enjoy playing and believe in themselves.
© March 2006
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