Austin Gleeson close to making return to Waterford hurlers

Gleeson withdrew from the set-up before Christmas but continued training away from the group and could be considered for inclusion before Waterford conclude their Division 1A campaign against Tipperary

Mount Sion's Austin Gleeson in action against Roanmore. Pic: Noel Browne

Austin Gleeson is close to making a return to the Waterford senior hurling panel.

The 2016 hurler and young hurler of the year withdrew from the set-up before Christmas but continued training away from the group and could be considered for inclusion before Waterford conclude their Division 1A campaign against Tipperary in Walsh Park.

Gleeson, 30, impressed for Mount Sion in last year’s run to a Waterford senior final. Should they fail to make the final, The Déise will have a six-week break until they meet Clare in the first round of the Munster SHC in Ennis on April 19.

Meanwhile, Cork’s final Division 2 National Football League game on March 14 has been moved to Páirc Uí Rinn.

The Kildare game had originally been scheduled for SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh but has been switched to nearby Páirc Uí Rinn where they beat Meath last Sunday following a request from the management team. The game retains its 5pm throw-in.

The venue was updated on the GAA website on Thursday after the Central Competitions Control Committee agreed to the change. Cork are currently on top of Division 2 with a full complement of eight points from four outings.

Cork are challenging suspensions on two fronts in the form of Ian Maguire’s proposed two-match ban and Shane Barrett’s confirmed two-game suspension.

Maguire’s punishment was being queried in front of the Central Hearings Committee. The St Finbarrs man was dismissed in last Sunday’s win over Meath in Páirc Uí Rinn for an altercation with Adam O’Neill and was deemed to have struck with force.

There were hopes Barrett’s penalty may be reduced arising from a technical issue Cork have raised with his repeat infraction two-match penalty.

The Blarney man was issued a red card for contributing to a melee in the victory over Tipperary earlier this month. His punishment was doubled as he had been sent off for another Category III offence against Clare in the first round of the Munster SHC in Ennis last year.

Elsewhere, Ethan Rafferty has been listed as substitute goalkeeper for Armagh for the trip to Mayo on Sunday. Rafferty has previously been named as an outfield replacement.

ARMAGH (NFL v Mayo): B. Hughes; T. McCormack, G. Murphy, P. McGrane; R. McQuillan, T. Kelly, J. Burns; C. O’Neill, B. Crealey; F. O’Brien, C. Turbitt, G. McCabe; C. McConville, O. O’Neill, O. Conaty. Subs: E. Rafferty, A. Forker, T. Galvin, J. Duffy, D. McMullan, P. Burns, A. O’Neill, D. McCarthy, P. O’Keefe, S. McCarty, R. McDonald.