Gleeson 'conundrum' for McGrath

May 20, 2016

Waterford's Austin Gleeson.
©INPHO/Ken Sutton.

Waterford manager Derek McGrath admits that he is unsure of Austin Gleeson's best position on the team.

Gleeson has been used in the half back and half forward line since becoming a regular member of the side last year.

In the league final replay, the Mount Sion clubman scored three points from centre forward, but he has been as exceptionally as good at centre back.

And speaking at the launch of the Munster SHC, the Waterford News & Star reports that McGrath has a decision to make regarding Gleeson's best position.

"It is a big conundrum," said McGrath. "I'd say Austin will play at number six, for the under-21s.

"He won a minor at centre back and played lots of games at wing back for us last year. He has played midfield, centre forward, wing forward and full forward for us in the league this year so he has played in five or six different positions.

"Ironically, he hasn't played at half back in any match this year even though he has had number six on his back.

"It's still a conundrum because you're balancing your own thought process which is to say that he is at his best when he is going forward rather than with his back to goal which suggests he isn't an inside forward like a Patrick Horgan type that scores over the shoulder."

He added: "The randomness in his position, that's him. The question I would have been asked at the very start of the year was; I presume you'll have to push Austin Gleeson up to the forward line."

McGrath concluded: "You almost have to say to him 'go where you want'. That doesn't fit in perhaps with tying him down to somewhere but it fits in with what he wants and what we want from him as well."


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