BARRY Hayes (St Senan’s) was the coach/selector with Carlow, weekend winners of Division Four in the National Football League at Croke Park.
In a thrilling final, Carlow overcame Longford after extra-time, 1-24 to 2-18.
It was the county’s first such silverware since a Leinster Championship triumph way back in 1944.
Last autumn, Hayes completed a unique double when he managed the Old Leighlin team to a 2-7 to 2-5 victory in the Carlow Senior Ladies Football Championship and led Baltinglass to beat Carnew Emmets by 1-20 to 0-15 in the Wicklow Senior Men’s Football Championship, both on the same weekend.
The Shanagolden native has been attached to Old Leighlin since to Carlow over 20 years ago.
He joined the Carlow management team, which is headed by Joe Murphy, at the start of the year.
In his day, Hayes was a decent footballer with St Senan’s.
Meanwhile, Limerick enjoyed a fine start to the Munster Minor Football Championship.