Connor Gleeson never thought he'd kick a Connacht final winner
Keane The Connor Winning Against Picture: ©inpho/bryan Galway's Mayo Celebrates Gleeson Kicking Point
During the build-up to the Connacht final, Galway selector John Concannon sent a message to Connor Gleeson telling him to start practicising long range kicks. It was a message which paid off.
Gleeson kicked two points for Galway in their provincial decider against Mayo on Sunday, including the winner in the sixth minute of injury time.
Galway had trailed by three points in additional time but three converted frees from Rob Finnerty, Shane Walsh and Gleeson won the game.
"They were going well so I got the nod," a modest Gleeson told RTÉ.
"It's mad. It's something that everyone dreams of but I never thought I'd be the one kicking it. Delighted to get the opportunity and just relieved it went over.
"It's something everyone dreams of but I never thought I would be the one kicking it" - Galway goalkeeper Connor Gleeson on his Connacht-title-winning free
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 5, 2024
📺 Highlights on The Sunday Game, 9.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
📱 Match report: https://t.co/0QwabOQugY pic.twitter.com/kFLG4kO5bH
"It was a free shot in my eyes. The game was level so I said if we miss it, we're going again. If we were a point down, that's a different story in my head, maybe.
"I said I'd strike through the ball, give myself a chance. With my kicking, the more I try to force it, the less accuracy there is.
"I didn't turn around until I saw it going over."
Following the match, Galway manager Padraic Joyce said Gleeson gets "so much unfair criticism in this county about kickouts and whatnot but he was absolutely a man of steel there at the end, ice in the brain". Gleeson said that grumbling does not reach him.
In his captain's speech, Seán Kelly called for a "massive roar" for Gleeson, and added "He had to bury someone close to him this week and to do what he did there today, there was someone definitely looking down for him".
Seán Kelly hails Galway's matchwinner Connor Gleeson after lifting the Nestor Cup, Galway's 50th Connacht SFC triumph#GAA #TheSundayGame pic.twitter.com/lp7E0Pveo1
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 5, 2024