Austin Gleeson is very good at hurling.
Hence he currently holds the senior and young hurler of the year awards following Waterford’s run to an All-Ireland semi-final replay defeat to Kilkenny last year.
Sensational in the air, a powerful runner, skilled with a sideline ball and in possession of a dazzling array of skills – the 22-year-old is one of the most exciting hurlers in the country.
While the Mount Sion man has this season struggled to return to the dizzying heights of 2016, he is still capable of magical moments like this – the classic knee slide, pop pick-up, pivot and point routine.
Stunning skill from Austin Gleeson for a sensational point. Join us live on @Rteone or highlights later on @TheSundayGame at 9.3pm on @rte2 pic.twitter.com/EFHxNfliE5
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 18, 2017
Like we said, Austin Gleeson is good at hurling and, having contributed six points from centre-forward in the qualifier demolition of Offaly, the hope of Déise supporters and neutrals alike is that the former Under-21 star will once more be given that role for Saturday night’s showdown with Kilkenny.
However Gleeson does not think his indifferent form this year cannot be explained away by his nomad existence in Derek McGrath’s team, shunted from the half-back line, to midfield and the forwards.
Speaking on Thursday’s GAA Hour Hurling Show the Waterford talisman admitted his confidence has taken something of a knock since he collected all those accolades last year.
When asked by host Colm Parkinson how he would assess his own form this year, Gleeson pulled no punches.
“Not great at all to be honest with you. I don’t know what it is. I put pressure on myself more than anyone else putting pressure on me and it is not helping me.
“Hopefully if my form picks up and the team’s form picks up we can still have a say in the Championship.”
It is remarkable to hear such an accomplished player admit it, but Gleeson said he was low on confidence heading into the Munster SHC semi-final defeat to Cork, the game that featured that ridiculous point above.
In the unfamiliar roving corner-forward role, he contributed only one more score as a red-hot Rebels side won out by 0-23 to 1-15, and he admits – player of the year or not – that faith in his own abilities were damaged.
“I don’t know why my confidence was low but the Cork game didn’t help and it took a week or two to get over it again. We played well against Offaly and that was a massive boost to get a few points and help out with the team. That boosted my own confidence and the team’s confidence,” said Gleeson.
“It was myself putting myself under pressure more than anything. It didn’t help my game and player of the year was last year,” he added.
“The confidence did take a bit of a blow after the Cork game and we sat down as a team and aired things out as a team.”
The next time you’re cursing yourself for having doubts about your own abilities remember that it literally happens to the best of them.
Listen to the entire interview from 18’20” below.
Littlewoods Ireland ambassador Austin Gleeson was speaking with Colm Parkinson to launch the Littlewoods Ireland #StyleOfPlay moments campaign, which will highlight the most skilful pieces of play from this year’s All-Ireland senior hurling championship. Follow the Littlewoods Ireland Facebook page to enter the monthly competition for your chance to win tickets to the All-Ireland senior hurling final.
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