AUSTIN POWERS

Gleeson pulls off two great plays to get Mount Sion into county decider

- BY KARL O'KANE

‘MAGIC’ Austin Gleeson says he was determined to prove to himself he still has it, after inspiring 14-man Mount Sion to a last-gasp victory over Roanmore in yesterday's Waterford semifinal.

Gleeson’s late heroics in front of the TG4 cameras at Walsh Park helped Mount Sion into a first county decider since 2022 and just a second since 2014.

Mount Sion haven't won a Waterford title since 2006, with the rise of Ballygunner, who have won 11-in-a-row.

The two sides will face off in the decider after a late two-goal blast from Dessie Hutchinson helped Ballygunner avoid a shock defeat by De La Salle.

Mount Sion trailed 0-17 to 1-13 in the second minute of three minutes of stoppage time when Gleeson, who had moved up front, stepped up to the plate.

He caught a Mount Sion puck out, turned and put it over the bar to level the game.

Then bang on 63 minutes Gleeson soared into the skies again to pluck a long delivery and set up Adam O'Reagan for the winning point, with the final whistle going on the next puck out.

After the game an emotional Gleeson told TG4: “Oh God, look, 12 months ago we lost to Abbeyside. It was our aim to get back here, go again and reach a county final.

“I can't believe it — just over the moon”