Waterford star Austin Gleeson said his year away from inter-county hurling was needed and that the break has “really recovered that drive” he was hoping for.

Yesterday’s 31-point annihilation of Westmeath in Mullingar saw the Deise men bringing on Gleeson as a 60th minute substitute for what was the Mount Sion clubman’s first inter-county apperance in 666 days.

Speaking to WRL FM in the build up to the Westmeath clash, the 2016 Hurler of the Year stated: "It has been strange; no point in lying. Not being in Carriganore or Dungarvan with the lads and training with them a couple of days a week has been strange, but I can't lie; I've enjoyed the break. I feel like it's something that I needed.

"I suppose there's a thing like if I went back in 2024, I don't know, maybe I just would have begun to really resent hurling if you want to put it that way, I just wanted a good place with it.

"Taking the break really recovered that drive that I was hoping for. That was the biggest thing that I was hoping for out of the break was to want to hold a hurley again. I feel like I've got that back."

Austin Gleeson on as a second half sub for Waterford His first inter county game in 666 days Biggest roar of the day in Mullingar!

— Tomás McCarthy (@tomasmcc) March 9, 2025

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