Hayes was raised in Limerick, growing up in the Woodview area of the city, near Thomond Park.

[2][3][4] Hayes captained the University of Limerick team that won the 2005 WSCAI Intervarsities Cup.

[1][2][3][4][5][6] Hayes first started playing women's rugby union for UL Bohemians, at the age of 23, while studying for her Master's degree at the University of Limerick.

[2] In 2017 and 2018 Hayes captained UL Bohemians as they won successive All Ireland Division One titles.

[2][9][10] On 10 November 2017 Hayes also played for Munster against the Barbarians in the invitational team's first women's match.