Kyle Hayes and Diarmuid Byrnes show hurlers are well able to box in explosive bout

A clever initiative.

The atmosphere was great and the stands were heaving. The Limerick hurlers held a 'Fight-Night' fundraiser on Saturday night in the South Court Hotel for their 2018 season, and it looked an overwhelming success. Shane Dowling was the MC for the night. The hurlers had been in intense training over the last few weeks in St. Francis' boxing club for the event, with 18 of their panel going between the ropes in nine separate bouts. The players will be fighting fit by the time they begin pre-season hurling training, presumably over the next few weeks. Their supporters were delighted to get the chance to see them in action in the off-season. https://twitter.com/LimerickCLG/status/939653978031382528 Here were the pairings for the event.

• Colin Ryan Vs. Oisín O'Reilly.
• Andrew La Touche Cosgrave Vs. Darragh O’Donovan.
• Sean Finn Vs. Pat Ryan.
• Barry Hennessy Vs. Paul Browne.
• Tom Morrissey Vs. Declan Hannon.
• Barry Nash Vs. Seamus Flanagan.
• Aaron Gillane Vs. David Reidy.
• Diarmaid Byrnes Vs. Kyle Hayes.
• Richie English Vs. Cian Lynch.

The most competitive clash of the night was the penultimate bout. It was a meeting of the squad's heavyweights (in hurling terms anyway) Kyle Hayes and Diarmuid Byrnes. Hayes is only 20, but he's rangy and very well built. We're all well aware of the height and power of Byrnes, who's one of the most combative half backs in hurling. The footage, captured by Jerome O'Connell, shows just how physical the pair are. They displayed a considerable arsenal of boxing skills also, and this is impressive for a pair of hurlers. https://twitter.com/JeromeSport/status/939624797528559617 The fundraising arm of Limerick GAA, Club Limerick also caught some of the pair's competitive bout on camera. Nothing was spared. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bcf5UUCDOgs/?taken-by=club_limerick_ Eventually, Hayes out-slogged Byrnes. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bcf5gcMDe7i/?taken-by=club_limerick_ Meanwhile, the speed and zip of David Reidy and Aaron Gillane's hands and feet in their encounter was a sight to behold. Eventually, Reidy won out there. https://twitter.com/JeromeSport/status/939620837224845313 In fact, nearly all of the hurlers outdone themselves with their impressive display of boxing skills. https://twitter.com/JeromeSport/status/939597426968682496 Fair play to Limerick. It might be something other counties will copy in the future.