That was the moment that changed everything.
Conor Gleeson wasn’t an underage sensation. He was a part of Waterford’s All-Ireland winning minor side in 2013 but he was a sub and some of his teammates would have been earmarked for senior stardom before him.
Doing it at minor level is impressive but it’s not the be all and end all. Senior level is on the other hand and making that step up is the real acid test facing all GAA players. That will separate the boys from the men and it’s not always the minor stars who make tracks.
Late developers kick on, some underage stars let it all get to their heads and their progress stalls.
While some members of that 2013 winning side haven’t made the transition yet, the Fourmilewater club man has developed his game, he’s improved himself and now, now he’s one of the meanest defenders in the country.
A teak tough man marker, Gleeson must be a nightmare opponent for any forward. With speed to burn, strength, size and plenty of hurling, he has all the attributes and he puts them to good use on the field of play too.
Gleeson joined Colm Parkinson on Thursday’s GAA Hour Hurling Show and he discussed his evolution as a player over the last few years. From a forward as a minor to a renowned man marker now, it’s the road less travelled that he’s taken, and some advice from Waterford legend John Mullane set him off on that journey.
“Yeah, when we were in the minor All-Ireland in 2013 I came on as a forward. I think a couple of years later, we were playing under-21 and at the time there was a lot of forwards on the senior panel.
True to Mullane’s style, he cut straight to the point. He saw the potential in Gleeson, he just thought his ability would be put to better use in the backs.
“John Mullane was a selector at the time, and he said, ‘look it, you’re not going to get into there in the forwards.’ I just said ‘Look it, play me wherever you can, play me in goals if I can make the team there.’
“He started me in corner back, and it went from there. He was a selector at the time, it was three years ago against Clare. He said, ‘we’ll turn you into a bit of an Ollie Canning.'”
He’s not far off that now. Marking some quality forwards in training week after week has brought him on.
“Up along there with Waterford, we’d a strong underage team. You get used to getting cleaned out in training. That’s the only way to improve.
Preparation for your opponents is key in the life of a man-marker.
“Yeah, it is a difficult job. I think if you know the fella you’re marking and you know his strength and weaknesses.”
Gleeson is also a talented footballer. Having gone to school in the South Tipperary stronghold Clonmel, his love for the big ball festered.
Unlike his hurling career, he’s remained in the forwards for football. A key member of the Nire’s successful side over the last few years, it’s his attacking prowess that he’s known for there.
“I suppose, Waterford in itself wouldn’t be known for its football. But I went to school in Clonmel in South Tipperary there, that’s a strong football area.
“I started playing in the forwards with them in school, and it stuck then. The club were watching and they played me in the forwards as well.
Hurling is the quicker game, according to Gleeson, and the defenders with hurls in their hands have it tougher.
“I think in football, there’s a lot more bodies in the forward line. Hurling is a lot easier. You can be burned a lot quicker in the hurling. Hurling’s a lot quicker too, it could be down at one end of the field for one second, and then the next it could be in over your head.
You can listen to the Gleeson and Michael Ryan interviews right here from Thursday’s GAA Hour Hurling Show.
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