Austin Gleeson is 21.
This year, Waterford lost out in the league and they were eliminated in the semi-final of the All-Ireland. They were close, they were very damn close but they couldn’t make the final step.
It didn’t matter. Austin Gleeson still won Hurler of the Year and he won Young Hurler of the Year too – two awards voted on by his peers.
He is only 21.
He’s 21 and he’s already the driving force behind the third best hurling team in the country.
He’s 21 and he’s unanimously accept as the best hurler in the land.
He’s 21 and he could’ve been picked for score of the year, for pass of the year, catch of the year and performance of the year. He could’ve been picked for any of them.
His performance against Kilkenny in the All-Ireland semi-final was simply breathtaking. It was filled with quality, it was robust, it was relentless.
Do you remember what you were doing when you were 21? 21. That’s how young Austin Gleeson is.
This year alone, he has lined out at centre back, midfield, center forward and full forward for his county. He can play anywhere and he can pretty much do anything he wants to do on that field.
When Waterford need someone to catch a ball in midfield, he goes out and does it. When they need a score, he gets it. When they need a sideline ball put over from 50 yards out, he can do that too.
He is the complete package and is destined for greatness.
For those reasons Austin Gleeson has to be a shoe-in for Irish Sportsperson of the Year
Did I mention he’s only 21?
