Hayes first played hurling to a high standard as a student at Ballinlough National School in Cork.
Three years after leaving school he first played for Cork as a member of the minor team.
[2] Hayes was just out of the minor grade when he joined the Blackrock club's senior team.
Hayes spent 14 years with the Blackrock senior team but ended his career without a Cork SHC medal after another final defeat in 1948.
[6] Partial Reference: Cork GAA website Inter-County SHC Results and Teams.