Hayes, Martin
December 05, 2008
The late Martin Hayes
Martin (Mart) Hayes, formerly of Wolfe Tone Street, Kilkenny lost his battle for life on November 10 at Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow, England, aged 72 years.
Mart worked in 'The Boot Factory' (Padmore and Barnes) Wolfe Tone Street for some years before he left to take up employment in England.
He joined the Merchant Navy where he got to travel the world at a young age, and on leaving the Merchant Navy he worked in the hotel and restaurant industry. He remained in this employment until his retirement.
Mart was well known in Kilkenny hurling and handball circles in his younger days. He won three county minor hurling titles in a row with Dicksboro GAA club in 1951, 1952 and 1953 and was captain of the 1953 team.
Mart played handball with Talbot's Inch Handball Club, winning three Leinster titles and one minor doubles All Ireland with Mick Sullivan (Clogh). This was the first minor handball All-Ireland for Talbot's Inch and Kilkenny.
He liked to be kept up to date with what was happening in handball as much as possible and was delighted with Duck-sie's (Michael Walsh) achievements.
Mart came home every year to his sister Kathleen O'Brien in Callan, especially when Kilkenny were in the All-Ireland final.
We enjoyed many an All-Ireland final with him.
Although he was sick this year, he still made it home to Croker to see "The Cats" win the famous three-in-a-row.
Mart was a gentleman and a Gael throughout. He loved to meet his old friends in Kilkenny and chat about the games gone by over a few pints and he always spoke fondly of Dicksboro Hurling Club and the old friends he had there.
He will be sadly missed by all who knew him, especially his son and daughter, step-daughters, grandchildren, his sister Kathleen, nieces and nephews.
- Courtesy of the Kilkenny People, 5th December 2008
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