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Waterford's Austin Gleeson. Ryan Byrne/INPHO

'I got the hunger for hurling back' - Gleeson set for Waterford return after 2024 break

The 2016 Hurler of the Year took a break from inter-county hurling this year.

AUSTIN GLEESON SAYS he would love to return to the Waterford panel in 2025 after reestablishing his hunger for hurling during a break this year.

The 2016 Hurler of the Year announced his decision to step away from the Dรฉise last September in an interview with the Irish Examiner, and said earlier this season that he was content with his decision. Gleeson has reiterated his stance on the call, explaining that playing exclusively with his club Mount Sion has offered him a โ€œnew lease of lifeโ€.

โ€œNo point in saying I donโ€™t know,โ€ he said when asked about his plans to resume his Waterford career. โ€œIโ€™d love to go back. It all comes down to how club championship goes and whether management ask me back. But Iโ€™d love to go back.โ€

There were some difficulties involved in adapting to the supporterโ€™s role but Gleeson says he quickly found himself willing his county to victory from the stand.

โ€œI have absolutely no regrets,โ€ he says. โ€œIโ€™m happy I did it. Itโ€™s after giving me a new lease of life in a way for hurling.

โ€œEven when we were in the gym and the start of the year, I feel weโ€™ve gotten a small bit closer as a group this year. You have younger lads integrating with the older lads which is something weโ€™ve struggled with as a team in previous years but it seems like a different atmosphere. Iโ€™m really enjoying it.

โ€œEven outside of hurling, I feel a lot more chilled and relaxed. I got what I needed to get out of it, and got that hunger back for hurling.โ€

Gleeson attended Waterfordโ€™s Munster opener against Cork, where Davy Fitzgeraldโ€™s made a wining start to their round-robin series.

โ€œI really struggled that morning. It was the first time I wasnโ€™t there for championship in 10 years so it was one of those days. It was one of those where I was thinking, โ€˜I do wish I was there,โ€™ but I got into Walsh Park and I didnโ€™t think Iโ€™d be as into it and screaming and shouting as much as I was.

โ€œBut I wanted to see the lads do well and I was hoping theyโ€™d drive on and get out of Munster. Unfortunately, that didnโ€™t happen.โ€

Waterford looked to be a side with the potential to reach the Munster final this year, but they endured a similar outcome as they failed to progress out of the province. A dramatic defeat to Clare and a draw against Tipperary after being in a winning position late in the game, ultimately sealed their fate.

Gleeson says he would still be satisfied with his decision to take a break had Waterford reached the knockout stages of the championship or went on to contest for an All-Ireland.

โ€œI always wanted them to go on. Even if they were playing this weekend, I would be 100% behind them and happy for them to get to an All-Ireland final. It would hurt if they won, but Iโ€™d be absolutely delighted for them.โ€

Austin Gleeson was speaking as part of Pinergyโ€™s sponsorship of Mount Sion GAA

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    Dec 21st 2017, 7:23 AM

    A rematch , MMA rules. Iโ€™d pay to see that, most definitely.

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    Mute Jamie Smith
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    Dec 21st 2017, 7:27 AM

    @Hardly Normal: nah Iโ€™d stream it for free

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    Dec 21st 2017, 7:32 AM

    @Jamie Smith: rebel

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    Dec 21st 2017, 7:34 AM

    @Hardly Normal: fools and their money

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    Dec 21st 2017, 7:37 AM

    @Jamie Smith: donโ€™t come crying when your screen buffers just as the knockout punch is landed. Stuff of nightmares!

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    Mute Paul O Mahony
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    Dec 21st 2017, 8:34 AM

    @Hardly Normal: I would prefer if it was a choke out, ground and pound stoppage or a kick to the head.

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    Mute Henry Fingleton
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    Dec 21st 2017, 10:44 AM

    @Jamie Smith: fools and their Money? Same logic as someone on the dole laughing at someone for going to work. Donโ€™t worry Jamie weโ€™ll pay up to keep these organisations going so you can enjoy it stuttering from a grainy little stream.

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    Mute Brian
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    Dec 21st 2017, 7:35 AM

    Lord knows the UFC needs something like that to keep it relevant. The interest and numbers have been staggeringly low recently and light years behind boxing for example. They are probably paying Floyd just to give them some attention in the media and without any deal ever happening.

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    Dec 21st 2017, 10:45 AM

    @Brian: interest and numbers light years behind boxing!? Are you drunk

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    Mute Patrick Kinsella
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    Dec 21st 2017, 8:01 AM

    The42 team do more research before you write a BS article 4 clicks http://mmajunkie.com/2017/12/floyd-mayweather-shuts-down-dana-white-ufc-deal-im-not-doing-it (published last night)

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    Dec 21st 2017, 2:50 PM

    Total BS Floyd will never fight MMA. Unless itโ€™s boxing rules. This is all hype, Floyd trying to keep his name in the news.

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