John Kiely 'never hesitated in picking' Kyle Hayes to face Dublin

Limerick manager John Kiely says he had no hesitation in picking Kyle Hayes to start Saturday's 3-30 to 1-18 league win over Dublin at Croke Park.

The wing-back was involved in his first inter-county action of this season as the reigning All-Ireland winners continued their Allianz Hurling League Division 1B campaign.

The 25-year-old was found guilty by a jury in December last of two counts of violent disorder inside and outside a Limerick nightclub October 2019, a charge he denied.

Sentencing was adjourned until 20 March when the four-time All-Star and five-time All-Ireland winner will learn whether he is to serve a custodial sentence.

Speaking in the post-match press conference after the victory over Dublin, Kiely said he had no doubts about selecting Hayes.

"Never, never hesitated in picking him," he said, adding that the player "did great" during a match in which he scored a point.

Meanwhile, Kiely also praised the astuteness of Cathal O'Neill as the attacker revelled in a new centre half-back role.

With Declan Hannon absent and David Reidy having to withdraw from the named team due to a hamstring injury, O’Neill found out on Thursday night that he was going to be starting in the heart of defence.

He looked right at home as he combined good defensive play with four points at the other end in a performance that left his manager very satisfied.

"It’s something we’ve been thinking about, I suppose, for some time as a possibility," Kiely told RTÉ Sport.

"Just waiting for the right opportunity maybe to be able to do that is the thing.

"With Declan out and with David unable to start tonight – he gave his hamstring a small tweak during the week – we just said okay, maybe now is the right time.

"I think he should be very, very happy