Hayes in demand as Celtic close in
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND international Jonny Hayes is at the centre of a transfer tug-of-war between Celtic and Cardiff City. The Scottish treble winners look to be in pole position to land the winger and are currently in negotiations with Aberdeen who are thought to prefer a player plus cash (thought to be around £1m) deal for the 29-year-old Dubliner. However, while Cardiff boss Neil Warnock is hopeful of hijacking the transfer and Birmingham boss Harry Redknapp made a pitch to Hayes earlier this week, it appears to be a straight battle between Celtic and Cardiff for the Dubliner’s signature. His future is unlikely to be decided before he joins up with the Ireland squad today ahead of Sunday’s friendly with Uruguay and next weekend’s World Cup qualifier. Hayes is coming off the back of an impressive season in which he was the only nominee on the four-person PFA Scotland player of the year shortlist not to come from Celtic. Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers knows the winger from his days as a Reading trainee and the pair could soon be reunited. Meanwhile, Shamrock Rovers confirmed Celtic will play a friendly this summer at Tallaght Stadium on July 8.
WHENJoe Sheridan fell over the line with the ball in the 2010 Leinster football final, Donnacha Tobin watched the ensuing drama unfold from the other side of the Atlantic. A stint in the Big Apple gave him a different perspective on the rumpus that has become a touchstone for any MeathLouth championship game — this Sunday’s quarterfinal at Parnell Park is no different in that respect. ‘I was trawling around New York trying to find an Irish bar to watch the game. I got in for the last 15 minutes. You know yourself, we were delighted at the time, but the more and more you watched it back you could see what went on. Because I was away I missed a lot of the furore about the whole thing. ‘I was happy in one way; it was nearly easier to be away. ‘There were a few Louth lads out there playing football as well so there was a bit of stick going.’ By the time he made his own debut as a Meath senior footballer in 2012, Louth found a way to eke out some small measure of revenge, relegating Meath to the ignominy of Division Three football with a thumping win in the last round of the National League campaign. ‘It was a funny League. We started quite well — I think we won the opening two rounds — and then we just lost every game from there. We had no momentum,’ he said. ‘Even going into the Louth game we probably just weren’t up for the game as much as they were at the time which is a very strange thing to say. ‘It was just a rude awakening and they were absolutely on their game for the match and that’s what happened. ‘We know they are a smashing football team so we’re going to have to be on top of our game to try to beat them.’ So his history with Louth dates back five years, then. He says both teams have moved on from 2010: ‘I think they have, too. This current Louth team is a young side. They’re wanting to forge their own reputation instead of people always referring back to 2010, no more than us. We don’t want anyone referring back to it. We’re trying to build our own thing.’ So far, all he has is an O’Byrne Cup medal for the
blood, sweat and tears devoted to the cause, something he is itching to rectify. ‘Yeah, massively. When you look back on your career that’s something you’ll judge it on — especially in Meath football. ‘Historically-speaking, we have been quite a successful county so it would be very disappointing to think you’d look back on your career without any degree of success. A Leinster title is what I want to have finishing my career.’ But is that achievable given Dublin’s untouchable status since last losing a Leinster championship game to Meath in 2010. ‘I think it is. There’s a very good group of players there but it’s one step at a time. ‘Every team in Leinster is thinking very much the same; everyone wants to win a Leinster title. ‘Dublin are where they are, they really are a level above everyone else at the minute, but we aren’t even looking that far ahead yet. ‘For now we need to fully focus on Louth and we need to absolutely be on our “A” game to try and beat them.’