Hayes Dockrell competed in the water polo competition at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympic Games as a member of the Dockrell family – one of the most distinguished sporting dynasties in Irish swimming and water polo.

His connection to Irish Olympic sport extends beyond his own competition: at the 1932 Los Angeles Games, Irish artist Frances Kelly submitted a portrait of Hayes Dockrell as her arts competition entry.

He later became a well-known orthopaedic surgeon.