The Waterford senior hurlers have been dealt a significant blow for the 2024 season with news that Austin Gleeson is opting out of the panel for the campaign.
The Mount Sion man confirmed the news having been part of the panel since 2014.
Gleeson, who was Hurler of the Year in 2016, says he hopes opting out of the panel for the year ahead will allow him to return with greater hunger the following season.
“I just don’t have the drive to do it, really,” the 28-year-old told the Irish Examiner. “I need a break for a while. It’s not as if I’m never going to go back or anything like that. As Davy said to me, the door is definitely open if in the next few weeks or next month or two I have a change of heart. I genuinely couldn’t speak any higher of Davy. He was 100 per cent with me about everything over the last year.”
“Around this time last year, I was hemming and hawing about playing and I met Davy for the first time in Clonmel and then I met Donncha in Dungarvan and had good chats with them. I spoke to the players after that and made the decision that I was going to go back. They were all huge in me changing my mind.”
Fitzgerald has given his full support to Gleeson, should he choose to return.
“I admire Aussie unreal. A lot of people don’t know him and often judge him. He’s an outstanding hurler. I’ve told him that if he feels the real buzz back at any stage, he is welcome back.”
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