Galway's Hayes to take a year out
Ger Loughnane has been presented with his first conundrum as Galway hurling manager - trying to find an ideal replacement for star corner forward Damien Hayes.
Hayes, the 22-year-old Portumna clubman, confirmed to Loughnane last night that he is to take a year out from hurling and fly off to America.
The 2005 All-Star, who is Stateside-bound in November, is a definite non-starter for the National League but although he is expected to take a full 12 months out of the game, he could be tempted back when the All-Ireland championship resumes next summer.
With Hayes out of the reckoning, the way now seems paved for Loughnane to experiment in his forward lines.
The enigmatic Eugene Cloonan, who ended his two-year absence from the championship this past summer, and minor and Under-21 prodigy Joe Canning are amongst those wanting to slot into a settled side.
The likes of David Forde, Alan Kerins, Ger Farragher and Niall Healy have been regulars up front for the Tribesmen, and it is hard to see Loughnane drastically altering the attacking line-up.
