Longford native Neil Hayes dies following tragic workplace accident in London
Tara GAA Club: Neil was a ‘gentleman’ with ‘great footballing skills’
A former St Mel’s College footballer died recently in a work accident in London.
Neil Hayes, who played for St. Mel’s in the late 1970’s, subsequently moved to London and became a renowned footballer there.
Mr Hayes’s mother is Theresa Smith from Rathmore, Aughnacliffe.
The Smith family are steeped in Colmcille and Longford GAA folklore. His uncles Colm, Dermot and Kevin all played for St. Mel’s. His cousins played for Colmcille, Sean Connolly’s and Longford.
Mr Hayes was born in Longford. He went to London at a young age, before returning to Ireland, where he attended St Mel’s. When he finished school, he returned to London in 1980.
He worked in the construction industry.
Mr Hayes was a senior construction worker working on one of Camden’s biggest regeneration projects.
The accident occured on May 24. Mr Hayes was working for sub contractors who were employed by the large construction firm St George’s.
Mr Hayes played for the Tara club in London. He was part of a successful Tara’s team, which won numerous titles.
In 1984, he was picked for a London selection for Centenary year of the GAA. It was said that he marked famous Dublin footballer Kieran Duff and kept him scoreless.
Mr Hayes was described by his club Tara as a “gentleman” with “great footballing skills” and an “encyclopaedic knowledge of all sports”.
In the aftermath of his death, a vigil was held for Mr Hayes at the spot he was killed in Camden Goods Yard, Chalk Farm, with construction campaigners joined by friends from his favourite locals, the Florin and Mother Red Cap pubs in Holloway Road.
Mr Hayes was a regular at the Tara club’s annual dinner dances, often held at The Crown in Cricklewood Broadway.
Mr Hayes had worked on huge projects in Whitechapel and Broadgate during a 1990s building boom, and more recently the Hawley Wharf redevelopment of Camden market in Camden Town.
A statement from St George, the lead construction partner at the Berkeley Homes site said that “staff onsite rushed to help the victim but were unable to do so”, adding: “Our deepest condolences go to the victim’s family and friends.”
A statement from the Tara club added: “We pass our deepest condolences to Neil’s Mother Therese, his partner Jacqui, his son Connor, Connor’s half sisters Emily, Sarah and Katy, their Mother Tina, and his siblings Derry, Fergus and Ann.”
Neil’s father, Con Hayes also played for St Mel’s. Neil and his brother Derry would have spent time around Aughnacliffe while at college in St Mels.
A gofundme page entitled ‘The Neil Hayes Initiative’ has been set up in memory of Neil. Organised by his son Connor, The Neil Hayes Foundation will be dedicated to fostering a positive relationship with sports among young people.
A service celebrating the life of Neil Hayes takes place on Thursday, June 27 at 1pm in St Dominic’s Priory, Southampton Road, London NW5 4LB; followed by a celebration afterwards in The Hercules, 504 Holloway Road, London, N7 6JA from 4pm.
May he Rest In Peace