They finally did it.
Waterford have reached their first All-Ireland final since 2008, an historic day for the county.
Derek McGrath’s men were really up against it when they faced a rejuvenated Cork side that won the Munster Championship earlier this year but a red card for Damien Cahalane meant that Waterford ultimately ran out winners 4-19 to 0-20.
There were a lot of talking points from the game but one man who is never short of making himself known on a hurling pitch was that of Austin Gleeson.
Gleeson was the 2016 Player of the Year and rightfully show but exhibited the good, the bad and the damn right genius that makes him what he is when he faced the Rebels on Sunday.
In the first half, the 22-year-old found himself lucky to still be on the pitch after pulling off Luke Meade’s helmet.
But as Cahalane was given his marching orders Gleeson took over and proved to everyone watching his accolade last year was no fluke.
Gleeson scored 1-2, with the goal possibly being a goal of the season contender.
He shimmied through a stern Cork defence, fake passed and dummied his way towards the Hill before skillfully finding the net. It was beautiful.
https://twitter.com/Woolberto/status/896760620510584832
Austin Gleeson #outrageous
— Conor McManus (@ConorMcManus_15) August 13, 2017
Aussie, you are one ballsy individual.
— Cormac Ryan (@CormacRyan01) August 13, 2017
Austin Gleeson committing serious serious crimes at croker here
— Oisin McQueirns (@McQueirns) August 13, 2017
Waterford will now face Galway on 3 September in what is sure to be a mammoth encounter between the two sides.
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