There’s no fear of Aussie Gleeson.
The ball hasn’t broke for him recently, but he looks back in business now.
In 2016 he was a behemoth making a name for himself. A giant of speed, skill, power and leadership – his high catches, his unstoppable bursts and his delicate touches lit the hurling world up. By the end of it, he was the Hurler and the Young Hurler of the year and the game of hurling was literally at his feet.
He followed it up with another power-packed 2017, bringing Waterford along with him to an All-Ireland final.
Youngsters were picking up hurls because of Austin Gleeson as the whole of Waterford talked up their second coming.
No two ways about it, the only way was down for a man of just 21.
And just like that, 2018 passed him and Waterford by in a dizzying and unusually crimeless burst. Injuries hit Derek McGrath’s men very hard and they just couldn’t reach the highs of 2016 again.
In fairness to the Déise men, the breaks didn’t go their way either.
That infamous erroneous call against Gleeson on the line in the Tipperary game just summed it all up and after it, they were crying out for a fresh start.
Paraic Fanning – a club mate of Gleeson’s came in at the start of the year and the men from the sunny south east coasted up through the gears in Division One B. Gleeson wasn’t at his best, having been dropped for the Galway game last time out but he’s roaring back now.
Waterford hosted Clare in the League quarter final in Walsh Park on Sunday and Gleeson was unplayable. From wing back, he hit four from play in a swashbuckling display.
And he was at it from the word go.
After two minutes, he started an attack from his own half back line with a perfect touch and a drilled ball forward. He wanted more though. Rather than admiring it, he bombed on. With the play developing, you see Gleeson pelting forward in support.
Bennett finds him and Gleeson sticks it. That’s a team at one.
Work rate. Strength. Skill.
Absolutely incredible stuff from Austin Gleeson.
Starts this move in his own half back line with a drilled ball out of defence.
Doesn't admire it.
Bombs 90 mts up the pitch to support his teammates and ends up with a score.@MountSionGAA
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) March 16, 2019
And that’s how it would continue. Gleeson, playing in a seemingly roaming role, kept on popping up with those trademark gung-ho bursts.
His second point, where he took Jack Browne for a runaround showed his confidence and sharpness.
The Clare backs didn’t know what he was at, but Jamie Barron did.
Waterford are a team with a few tricks up their sleeve this year.
Love this from Aussie Gleeson 🔥
Makes Jack Browne dizzy with his movement before pinging a beauty of the back foot.
That man is back 👊pic.twitter.com/Mq3tZWrOqB
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) March 16, 2019
He kept it up in the second, as did the Bennett brothers and Jamie Barron and Waterford cruised to a 0-31 to 1-14 win.
Gleeson is on fire today!@WaterfordGAA @MunsterGAA @The42GAA @GAA__JOE #AllianzLeagues pic.twitter.com/cKbi0KDabY
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) March 16, 2019
That’s what Waterford fans want to see.
Hurling results from the day
Galway 3-21 Wexford 3-11
Joe Canning and Cathal Mannion were on fire for Galway in Pearse Stadium. Wexford started well with two goals from McDonald and Chin but Galway piled on the pressure in the second and Wexford had no response.
Needless to say, Davy Fitz won’t be happy with the concession of three second half goals.
Where has this Kevin Hussey been all this time?
The speed of him ⚡️⚡️pic.twitter.com/uFtxYYqMXD
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) March 16, 2019
Cork 2-14 Kilkenny 1-15
A late Jamie Coughlan for @OfficialCorkGAA goal wins the relegation final for Cork.
An absolute disaster for @KilkennyCLG who are relegated to the same division they're already in 😢 https://t.co/OsK3CET72W
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) March 16, 2019
