Dan Shanahan says Waterford will do whatever it takes to make sure the Gleesons are eligible to play in next month's All-Ireland SHC final.

Yesterday's impressive semi-final victory over Cork was tempered by a straight red card for midfielder Conor Gleeson following a 69th minute incident involving Cork's Patrick Horgan, who was also dismissed, while reigning Hurler of the Year Austin Gleeson could also be suspended for the final against Galway after TV replays showed him pulling off opponent Luke Meade's helmet in the 18th minute.

The incident comes after Tadhg de Burca missed yesterday's game after he was cited for a similar offence following Waterford's quarter-final win over Clare.

"I didn't genuinely see [Conor Gleeson's red card]," selector Shanahan said. 

"I'm an Arsene Wenger man here! We'll have a look at it. He's distraught so he is, absolutely distraught. Again, we have said we'll do what we have to do to get him back.

"What he is lads is a man marker, boys, he's been man marked himself before in the football. He knows what it takes. He's a good corner-forward in football, he's after being man marked by men in football and he knows how to mark fellas. He's leggy, he's saucy, he's everything you don't want to be on. And that's what he's about. If Conor is not there, and please God he will be, but Tadhg will be back and we'll just drive on again."

Shanahan admitted that Waterford could ill-afford to be without a player of Austin Gleeson's quality in their quest to end a 58-year wait for the Liam MacCarthy Cup.

"Austin called me onto the field. He said, 'Just get me the ball'. The next ball he got he just went in on goal. Austin would frustrate you sometimes lads, believe you me, but I'd rather have him on the field than sitting in the stand. He can work the magic. He's just a gifted young fella. Today wasn't his best day but yet he got 1-2 or 1-3, I'd take that from Austin every day if he could get that," he added.

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