Austin Gleeson believes Waterford’s high scoring defeat of Limerick in the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 semi-final is further proof that his team are not a defensive-orientated side.
After scoring just one goal during the group stages of 1A, Derek McGrath’s team hit three goals in the 11-point success over Limerick at Semple Stadium and will now face Clare in a fortnight ahead of a 5 June Munster championship date with the same opposition.
Under the stewardship of McGrath, the Deise have gained a reputation for being a defensively-minded side, with the presence of a sweeper and deep-lying forwards key to their tactical set-up.
Waterford fans in Thurles however witnessed nine different scorers contribute to their final tally of 3-23 and the Mount Sion clubman says it is evidence that they are a potent attacking outfit when given their opportunities, even without the services of Maurice Shanahan.
“Everyone’s saying we are a defensive team, but it’s not a defensive team," he told RTÉ Sport.
"Its just everyone working as a unit, everyone buying into the plan.
“We know if we get the chance and get a run at teams we’ll get on goal. Thankfully today we got three and we could have got more.”
Limerick entered the break 0-12 to 0-11 ahead but the Treaty men couldn’t contain their Munster rivals in the second half and were out-scored 3-12 to 1-06. Gleeson admitted there were some hard truths spoken in the dressing room.
“At half-time we set the tone. We weren’t working hard enough in the first half and that’s what was leaving us down in the last couple of games," he said.
“In the second half we stuck to our task and thankfully we got over the line in the end.”
Named at midfield, the versatile Gleeson popped up all over the pitch throughout the 70 minutes and helped himself to three points. He was more than happy to be given a roving role by team management.
“It’s kind of a plan of ours to leave one person helping out everyone. That’s my role. Anything they [management] ask any of the lads we just do,” he added.
The 20-year-old admitted that the players were reminded at half-time that it was 30 years since Waterford played in successive National League semi-finals and now attentions turn to the Banner as they look to become the first county since Kilkenny in 2003 to retain the trophy.
