THE SECRET IS out. Conor Gleeson will be a marked man on Sunday.
The dual minor star has emerged as one of The Nire’s most dangerous threats this season.
Now the Waterford champions are hoping that he can repeat the trick once again and lead them to a historic Munster football title.
The teen — who was centre-back for the Déise’s minor hurlers this year — is a lethal forward with the big ball.
He led the way in the county final against Stradbally, kicking 0-5 from play in a man-of-the-match performance to clinch the Fourmilewater club’s first county crown since 2008.
Graduating to provincial level didn’t faze him either. His first-half goal against Ballylanders set the tone for what turned out to be a comfortable quarter-final win.
Gleeson finished with 1-2 that day, then matched that total against the dual stars of Cratloe in the semis.
“He’s got great balance, pace and application,” manager Benji Whelan said this week.
He’s a fantastic head on his shoulders for just a kid, and a real leader in the dressing room.
Fewer and fewer players are juggling the demands of two codes these days and when the time comes for Gleeson to make his decision, Whelan expects it to be football’s loss.
“He’s an example of someone that’s a better footballer than hurler, although he’s a very, very good hurler, playing centre-back too, when he’s arguably more potent as a forward.
“He’s a loss to football if he goes to hurling, but he’s fantastic doing what he’s doing.”
There are eight survivors from The Nire’s last Munster final, a three-point defeat against Dr Crokes, but it is a man who was still in primary school in 2006 that will hold the key this weekend.
“He got a goal against Ballylanders, and Cratloe, so he’s dangerous,” Whelan added.
“I suppose we’re very conscious that if he’s man-marked, or double-marked, that will open space, and we’ve got other good guys inside who might exploit that.”
James McCarthy must not be in his plans, strange not to mention him.
Aa long a Jose is at spurs Parrott will waste away in reserves. He needs that loan move
I know Mick can use the excuse that Troy isn’t playing week in, week out.
But he does know how to score.
Jose may not him much but with even 30 minutes in a run of Irish games could change everything.
There have been great goal scorers in the past who played at this age. Will he be another Robbie Keane? Who knows but time on the pitch will help in the Premier League and on the International stage.
@Madra: not sure where u going with not playing week in week out…he is not playing at all now…bench warmer at best….no way should he be in squad for such a big game……
@Madra: he’s playing against kids. Big difference to playing against seasoned pros. Keane was playing first team football at that age.
@Madra: no chance of being a keane now, after signing a contract to sit on a bench he is more likely to be an Anthony Stokes or a robbie brady at best. He’s blown his shot now I reckon
@John fitzpatrick: your right John, but if Keane had of been at Spurs aged 17 in PL he wouldn’t have got his either, Parrott definitely should have got out, I wouldn’t sit it out anymore, should get a move to another PL team on loan or championship..
@Fino10: I don’t think working with a coach of Jose’s experience for the rest of the season would be the worst thing for Parrott. Bound to learn a thing or two.
He should be looking for a season long loan to a Championship or League One side next season though.