With one of Galway hurling's prodigal sons Johnny Glynn coming back across the Atlantic in the hope of re-joining the Galway squad and ending their trophy drought, we got chatting to Galway captain Conor Whelan about what having a refreshed Glynn back in the squad is like.
Speaking at the launch of Insomnia's five-year partnership with the GAA/GPA, the Galway captain spoke about whether Glynn would have a role in the panel this year as well as what a player of his experience brings to the table, and from his endeavours in New York to learning Jiu-Jitsu nothing could surprise us when it comes to Glynn.
14 March 2024; Insomnia ambassador and Galway hurler Conor Whelan poses for a portait at the launch of Insomnia’s 5-year partnership with the GAA/GPA at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Glynn hasn't hurled at intercounty level since he left the Galway squad in 2019, however before that Glynn was a stalwart having joined the panel at 18, he made himself a key player through the 2010s and played a pivotal role in Galway's 2017 All-Ireland win.
It didn't stop there either, with Glynn departing Galway in 2019 only to begin playing football with New York, where he played a crucial role in their historic victory over Leitrim last year, as well as picking up some martial arts skills stateside.
However, having taken such a large hiatus from hurling, and the ever-professionalising demands of GAA only getting higher and higher, Glynn's return to a match-day panel is still far from certain.
19 August 2018; Jonathan Glynn of Galway in action against Mike Casey of Limerick during the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Final match between Galway and Limerick at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Conor Whelan still uncertain on Johnny Glynn's return
Speaking to Balls.ie this week, Whelan was obviously excited to have Johnny Glynn back but remained uncertain on what role the All-Ireland winner could have. This follows the news, that while Glynn had made a return to training with the Galway senior hurlers, he was yet to be included in their panel.
Yeah, look, I think everyone knows Johnny, you know he's a big guy and somebody who we'd be delighted to have with us as part of the group.
Yeah, I suppose we're very much still trying to figure that out and trying to see if that'll work for him.
Despite the uncertainty around Glynn's exact role, Whelan was in no doubt that he brought an awful lot to the table.
You don't pick up characters like Johnny on the side of the street. So excited to have him.
Johnny has a lot of experience, you know, he was in there since the age of 18 and he obviously hasn't hurled since 2019, but he's definitely a leader and definitely someone who is a big personality and he's been involved in a multitude of different environments, you know he played football for New York, he was very much involved in beating Leitrim that time and you know, he does a bit of jitsu I think on the side as well...he's very much open minded and somebody who is a valuable asset to the group.
While the prospect of an intercounty hurler of Glynn's size also engaging in Jiu-Jitsu would be enough to have players and managers up and down the country quaking in their boots, Whelan ensured us he'd be sticking to hurling for Galway.
I haven't seen a whole pile of it (Jiu jitsu) now really, but I heard that's mainly over in New York, we're hoping he'll stick to the hurling for us.
Regardless of if or when Glynn makes his Galway comeback, there's no doubt that having a man like him around the house is good for business, something Henry Shefflin will be looking to take full advantage of, having not brought silverware back West since his tenure began.
While Johnny Glynn might be training away, Galway and Conor Whelan must look ahead to this weekend as they get set to host unbeaten Limerick in Pearse Park, a game that if they can win would not only be a huge upset but should also secure them a spot in a league semi-final.
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