Waterford enter the 2024 inter-county season without the talismanic presence of Austin Gleeson, with the Mount Sion forward taking a year out from inter-county hurling.
Gleeson's decision was telegraphed as early as last September, and he had to be persuaded out of making it even earlier ahead of the 2023 inter-county season.
Named Hurler of the Year in 2016, things have been trickier for Gleeson in recent years, as personal disciplinary issues on the pitch have been balanced by Waterford's drastically up-and-down form of late.
Speaking to Balls.ie on Tuesday to promote the Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup, Gleeson shared his personal regrets with how he approached the early years of his career with the Déise - and the drastic impact the criticism from Waterford fans had had on him and his family.
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Austin Gleeson opens up on pressures of Waterford inter-county duties
Pictured is former Waterford hurler and Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup finalist with WIT, Austin Gleeson as he looks ahead to the conclusion of the Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup. This year, through its #FirstClassRivals campaign, Electric Ireland celebrated the unexpected alliances formed between county rivals as they come together in pursuit of some of the most coveted titles across Camogie and GAA. Photo: INPHO/Dan Sheridan
A previous remark of Joe Canning's was put to Austin Gleeson on Tuesday. Galway legend Canning once suggested that making such a strong start to his inter-county career was the worst mistake he ever made, as it raised expectations on his young shoulders.
Gleeson said that he most definitely identified with Canning's comments and that he regretted not kicking on personally from his 2016 high-point of winning Hurler of the Year. Though Waterford would reach two All-Ireland finals in the following four seasons, Gleeson would struggle to reach the same heights on an individual basis, something he puts down to a lack of dedication in training:
The first couple of years I was in there, I didn’t know how far I’d go. I was just playing off confidence, I was enjoying it. Derek used to say, ‘play with the shackles off’ - I was probably playing too much with the shackles off at times, trying mad stuff.
I suppose the couple of years after winning the award was tough. I’m not blaming anyone else, it was totally on me. I thought I’d get back into that shape or that fitness but I probably neglected myself a small bit more than I should have. It took me a few years to even come close. I don’t think I’ve ever probably reached the standard I reached that year.
It’s definitely something where I think he [Canning] is right. It’s hard to get back up to the standards when they were set way higher than you were thinking. I suppose, a bit of youth and confidence probably cost me a couple of years of my career as well.
If there was one thing, I’d probably go and slap myself across the face at that age and try and do things a small bit differently.
In the winter coming into that 2016 season, Gleeson was on U21 duty with his club, and persistent weather-delayed matches meant a relentless training regime. He says that falling out of that training routine was ultimately a major cause of his struggles in the years to come:
The following year I probably didn’t train the first four or five weeks and it probably cost me two or three months to try and get back up to that fitness. I started picking up injuries and I found it very, very hard to get back.
I definitely would go back and train harder, and make sure that my body was right. Injuries were something I very rarely had in the first two or three years.
That’s probably the biggest thing I’d tell myself is to train even harder and try to improve levels rather than saying, ‘ah, I’ll get back to them.’ The proof is there now that I didn’t.
Even if he did not quite reach the heights of that 2016 season again, it is undeniable that Gleeson will be a major loss to the Waterford panel for 2024.
If the 28-year-old sounds harsh on himself to something of an extreme, it may be understandable given the pressure he has felt upon himself in his home county.
13 May 2023; Austin Gleeson of Waterford reacts during the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship Round 3 match between Waterford and Clare at FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles, Tipperary. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile
Gleeson says that, even though he tries to shelter himself from the public during the inter-county season, remarks on his performances, struggles, etc. inevitably end up finding their way back to him via his family. Though he has a lot of love for the Waterford supporters, he makes his feelings clear on how they can be when things go awry:
When you’re in the league or the championship, you’re trying to stay away [from the public] and avoid people as much as you possibly can.
People say stuff to the family when they’re going down to the shop...you’d be thinking in your head, ‘why are they saying that to them? They’re not on the field, why are they being asked questions that they shouldn’t be asked?’ It does take an effect.
You have those sort of people that are looking for stuff to spread it around. Waterford fans are great when they’re going well but when things are bad they’re probably the worst around, that’s being completely honest with you. It’s a hard place to be when things are not going right.
You just try and avoid it - thankfully now I don’t have to avoid it.
They wouldn’t be getting aggressive, no, but there would be stupid little comments that they might have heard after a game. Then your family member is saying this to you…and it’s not true!
The amount of times it has been said down here that certain players down here have had rows with each other or with management, and it’s just complete lies. It’s frustrating.
Even the last two or three weeks, there’s been rumours that I’m back in training with the lads - I’m not!
Austin Gleeson is now preparing for a year off which he has had planned for some time.
He initially planned to take that break in 2023 but was tempted back into the setup by the returning Davy Fitzgerald. An injury picked up ahead of the Munster championship victory over Tipperary sealed the deal for Gleeson in his mind that 2024 was the year to step away - for the time being.
For now, at least, Gleeson leaves us in no doubt that he will return in 2025 but, for now, he is looking forward to a year on the sidelines, away from the pressures of inter-county hurling. There is little in the way of concrete plans, and he says one of the things he is most eagerly awaiting is "not walking down the street with different questions thrown at you."
Waterford will be worse off without him.
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