Darren Gleeson

{{Infobox Gaelic games player

| code= Hurling

| sport = Hurling

| image = Darren Gleeson (cropped).jpg

| caption = Gleeson playing for Tipperary in 2014

| name = Darren Gleeson

| irish = Darrin Ó Gliasáin

| feet = 6

| inches = 3

| occupation = Self Employed

| nickname =

| county = Tipperary

| province = Munster

| club = Portroe

| clposition = Goalkeeper

| clubs =

| clyears = 1997–

| clapps(points) =

| clcounty = 0

| clprovince=

| clallireland =

| colleges = Carlow Institute of Technology

| counties = Tipperary

| icposition = Goalkeeper

| icyears = 2008–2017

| icapps(points) = 20 (0–0)

| icprovince =6

| icallireland = 2

| allstars = 1

| nhl = 1

| clupdate =

| icupdate = 17:39, 24 July 2015

| birth_date={{Birth date and age|1981|3|19|df=yes}}

| birth_place=Portroe, County Tipperary, Ireland

}}

Darren Gleeson (born 19 March 1981) is an Irish hurler and manager who plays for Tipperary Senior Championship club Portroe and, most recently, managed the Laois senior hurling team. He played for the Tipperary senior hurling team for 10 seasons, during which time he usually lined out as a goalkeeper.{{cite news|url=http://tipperary.gaa.ie/senior-hurling-player-profiles |title=Senior Hurling Panel |publisher=Tipperary GAA website |access-date=31 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120817172323/http://tipperary.gaa.ie/senior-hurling-player-profiles |archive-date=17 August 2012 }}

Playing career

=Portroe=

Gleeson plays his club hurling with Portroe.

In 2012, he won a North Tipperary championship medal following a 3–16 to 1–19 defeat of Toomevara.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/portroe-tame-toome-to-capture-first-title-201610.html|title=Portroe tame Toome to capture first title|date=23 July 2012|work=Irish Examiner|access-date=1 November 2012|first=James|last=Hayden}}

=Tipperary=

==Under-21==

Gleeson first played for Tipperary as a member of the under-21 team during the 2002 Munster Championship when he served as sub-goalkeeper to team captain Damien Young. On 8 August 2002, he was listed amongst the substitutes when Tipperary drew 3–9 to 2–12 with Limerick in the Munster U21HC final. Gleeson was again amongst the substitutes when Tipperary suffered a 1–20 to 2–14 defeat in the replay on 21 August 2002.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

==Senior==

In 2008, Gleeson joined the Tipperary senior hurling team as understudy to regular 'keeper Brendan Cummins. He was an unused substitute as Tipperary claimed that year's National Hurling League following a 3–18 to 3–16 victory.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/match-reports/corbetts-cracker-tips-balance-60761.html|title=Corbett's cracker tips balance|work=Irish Examiner|date=21 April 2008|access-date=2 December 2014|first=Jim|last=O'Sullivan}} Gleeson was later included on Tipperary's championship panel and collected a Munster SHC medal as a non-playing substitute following a 2–21 to 0–19 defeat of Clare.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/tipperary-lay-down-marker-for-kilkenny-26461838.html|title=Tipperary lay down marker for Kilkenny|work=Irish Independent|date=14 July 2008|access-date=2 December 2014|first=Martin|last=Breheny|author-link=Martin Breheny}}

Gleeson made his competitive debut the following season in a league game against Galway.{{cite news|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/Tipperary/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=109499|title=Cummins absent for Tipp|date=3 April 2009|publisher=Hogan Stand website|access-date=1 November 2012}} Later that year, he made his championship debut as a ten-minute blood sub for Brendan Cummins in a 1–19 to 0–19 Munster quarter-final defeat of Cork.

Gleeson was still a member of the Tipperary senior hurling panel in 2010. That year he collected an All-Ireland SHC medal as a non-playing substitute following Tipp's 4–17 to 1–18 defeat of Kilkenny.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2010/0905/tipperary_kilkenny.html |title=RTÉ Sport: Tipperary 4–17 Kilkenny 1–18|publisher=RTÉ|date=5 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100906101638/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2010/0905/tipperary_kilkenny.html |archive-date= 6 September 2010 }}

The following year Gleeson came on as substitute for Cummins after 64 minutes of the years's provincial decider. He won a Munster SHC medal as a result of Tipp's 7–19 to 0–19 trouncing of Waterford.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/gaa/2011/0710/1224300484182.html|title=Tipp show appetite for destruction|work=The Irish Times|date=10 July 2011|access-date=30 October 2012}}

Gleeson started the 2014 season as first choice goalkeeper for Tipperary due to the retirement of Brendan Cummins at the end of the 2013 season. He made his first championship start for Tipperary on 1 June 2014 against Limerick in a 2–18 to 2–16 defeat in the 2014 Munster SHC.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/hurling/treatyrsquos-late-surge-finally-sees-off-tipp-270676.html|title=Treaty's late surge finally sees off Tipp|date=2 June 2014|work=Irish Examiner|access-date=4 June 2014}}

On 17 August 2014, Tipperary defeated Cork by 2–18 to 1–11 in the All-Ireland SHC semi-final to reach the 2014 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship final.

Former Cork goalkeeper Donal Óg Cusack, speaking on The Sunday Game highlights programme on the night of the semi-final match, said that in his opinion Gleeson had given the greatest ever display of tactical puckouts in the game, stating: "Darren Gleeson gave the greatest display of tactical puckouts ever seen... I want to put it on record: it was the greatest display of puckouts ever but the Cork defending was poor".{{cite news|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/donal-og-men-against-boys-as-tipp-put-cork-to-the-sword-639443.html|title=Donal Óg: Men against boys as Tipp put Cork to the sword|date=18 August 2014|work=Irish Examiner|access-date=19 August 2014}}

Gleeson started his first All-Ireland SHC final on 7 September 2014 against Kilkenny in a match that finished in a draw. Kilkenny defeated Tipperary in the replay three weeks later.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/gleeson-tipptoeing-in-the-footsteps-of-legend-cummins-30557361.html|title=Gleeson Tipp-toeing in the footsteps of legend Cummins|date=3 September 2014|work=Irish Independent|access-date=3 September 2014}}

In October 2014, Gleeson won his first All Stars Award after a successful 2014 campaign in which Tipperary reached the All-Ireland SHC final.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/tipperary-earn-more-hurling-all-stars-than-the-cats-as-richie-hogan-and-james-odonoghue-land-top-awards-30691087.html|title=Tipperary earn more hurling All Stars than the Cats as Richie Hogan and James O'Donoghue land top awards|date=24 October 2014|work=Irish Independent|access-date=29 October 2014}}

On 4 September 2016, Gleeson won his second All-Ireland SHC title when Tipperary defeated Kilkenny by a score of 2–29 to 2–20 in the final.{{cite news|url=http://munster.gaa.ie/2016/09/04/all-ireland-senior-hurling-championship-final-5/|title=Tipperary 2–29 Kilkenny 2–20|date=5 September 2016|publisher=Munster GAA|access-date=6 September 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.the42.ie/tommy-dunne-all-ireland-final-analysis-tipperary-kilkenny-2964584-Sep2016/|title=Analysis: How Tipperary finally overcame Kilkenny to claim All-Ireland senior hurling glory|date=5 September 2016|publisher=The42.ie|access-date=6 September 2016}}

In October 2017, Gleeson announced his retirement from inter-county hurling, citing work and family commitments as the reasons.{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2017/1021/914249-tipp-keeper-darren-gleeson-announces-retirement/ |title=Tipp keeper Darren Gleeson announces retirement|date=21 October 2017|publisher=RTÉ|access-date=23 October 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/twotime-allireland-winner-gleeson-calls-time-on-tipperary-adventure-36251100.html|title=Two-time All-Ireland winner Gleeson calls time on Tipperary adventure|date=23 October 2017|work=Irish Independent|access-date=23 October 2017}}

Managerial career

=Antrim=

On 9 September 2019, Gleeson was ratified as manager of the Antrim senior hurling team.{{cite news|url=https://hoganstand.com/article/index/303795|title=Gleeson handed Antrim hurling job|date=9 September 2019|work=Hogan Stand|access-date=9 September 2019}}

He led the side to the 2020 National Hurling League Division 2A title when they overcame Kerry by a score of 2–23 to 2–20 in the final on 18 October 2020.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/mcnaughton-hits-late-winner-for-antrim-39639435.html|title=McNaughton hits late winner for Antrim|date=19 October 2020|work=Irish Independent|access-date= 11 May 2021}}

Antrim then won the 2020 Joe McDonagh Cup after a 0–22 to 1–17 win over Kerry in the final at Croke Park.{{cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-40189899.html|title=Antrim see off Kerry to secure McDonagh Cup success at Croke Park|date=13 December 2020|work=Irish Examiner|access-date=13 December 2020|first=Eoghan|last=Cormican}}{{cite news|url=https://www.the42.ie/antrim-kerry-joe-mcdonagh-cup-5298261-Dec2020/|title=Clarke points the way as Antrim celebrate Joe McDonagh Cup glory with win over Kerry|date=13 December 2020|publisher=The42.ie|access-date= 16 December 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://www.gaa.ie/hurling/joe-mcdonagh-cup/antrim-kerry/1739689/|title=ANTRIM 0–22 KERRY 1–17|date=13 December 2020|publisher=GAA.ie|access-date=16 December 2020}}

On 9 May 2021, Antrim unexpectedly defeated Clare by a score of 1–21 to 0–22 in the opening round of the 2021 National Hurling League.{{cite news|url=https://www.the42.ie/antrim-defeat-clare-hurling-league-5432649-May2021/|title=Clarke goal propels Antrim to shock win over Clare|date=9 May 2021|publisher=The42.ie|access-date= 11 May 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/antrim-celebrate-return-to-top-flight-with-shock-win-over-clare-1.4559738|title=Antrim celebrate return to top flight with shock win over Clare|date=9 May 2021|work=The Irish Times|access-date= 11 May 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://www.the42.ie/donal-og-cusack-antrim-hurling-5429195-May2021/|title=Cusack's Antrim hurling verdict: 'Delighted to see it – but I still think they are going to struggle'|date=10 May 2021|publisher=The42.ie|access-date=12 May 2021}}

{{Expand section|with=the rest of his time as Antrim manager, specifically the years from 2021 until 2024. No mention of the 2021 championship, the 2022 Joe McDonagh Cup win, the 2023 championship and so on|date=June 2025}}

=Laois=

In August 2024, Gleeson was ratified as manager of the Laois senior hurling team. However, on 16 November, he announced his departure from the role due to medical advice, after cancer was located when he broke his upper arm.{{cite news|url=https://x.com/CLGLaois/status/1857841827585393041|title=Statement from Darren Gleeson & Laois GAA|publisher=Laois GAA|date=16 November 2024}}{{cite news|url=https://www.hoganstand.com/article/index/334309|title=Gleeson steps down as Laois hurling boss after cancer diagnosis|work=Hogan Stand|date=17 November 2024}}

Personal life

On 4 May 2016, it was reported that the [[Central bank had banned Gleeson from acting as a financial adviser.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/business/tipperary-hurler-darren-gleeson-banned-from-being-financial-adviser-by-central-bank-34684495.html|title=Tipperary hurler Darren Gleeson banned from being financial adviser by Central Bank|date=4 May 2016|access-date=17 May 2016}}

In court in January 2017, Gleeson denied the charges of stealing €32,000 from a financial services client, pleading not guilty to two counts of stealing a total of €32,000 in 2013.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/tipperary-hurler-gleeson-denies-theft-of-32000-from-his-client-35402113.html|title=Tipperary hurler Gleeson denies theft of €32,000 from his client|date=27 January 2017|work=Irish Independent|access-date=23 February 2017}}

On 27 June 2017, Gleeson was given a three-and-a-half-year suspended prison sentence after admitting an offence of obtaining €10,000 by deception from an elderly man in 2013.{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/courts/2017/0627/885909-gleeson/|title=Tipperary hurler gets suspended sentence for deceiving elderly man|date=27 June 2016|publisher=RTÉ News|access-date=28 June 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/darren-gleeson-suspended-sentence-3466853-Jun2017/|title=Tipperary hurler gets suspended sentence after obtaining €10,000 from elderly man by deception|date=27 June 2016|publisher=TheJournal.ie|access-date=28 June 2017}}

Career statistics

=As a player=

rowspan="2"\|Team !rowspan="2"\|Year !colspan="3"\|National League !colspan="2"\|Munster !colspan="2"\|All-Ireland !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
Division	Apps	Score	Apps	Score	Apps	Score	Apps	Score
rowspan="10"\|Tipperary \|2008 \|rowspan="1"\|Division 1B \|0	0–0	0	0–0	0	0–0	0	0–0
2009 \|rowspan="3"\|Division 1 \|1	0–0	1	0–0	0	0–0	2	0–0
2010 \|3	0–0	0	0–0	0	0–0	3	0–0
2011 \|2	0–0	1	0–0	0	0–0	3	0–0
2012 \|rowspan="6"\|Division 1A \|2	0–0	0	0–0	0	0–0	2	0–0
2013 \|4	0–1	0	0–0	0	0–0	4	0–1
2014 \|6	1–0	1	0–0	6	0–0	13	1–0
2015 \|5	0–1	2	0–0	1	0–0	8	0–1
2016 \|5	0–0	3	0–0	2	0–0	10	0–0
2017 \|4	0–0	1	0–0	2	0–0	7	0–0
colspan="3"\|Total !32	1–2	9	0–0	11	0–0	52	1–2

=As a manager=

class=wikitable style="text-align: center" \|+ Managerial league-championship record by team and tenure
rowspan=2\|Team !rowspan=2\|From !rowspan=2\|To !colspan=5\|Record
{{abbr\|P\|Matches played}}	{{abbr\|W\|Matches won}}	{{abbr\|D\|Matches drawn}}	{{abbr\|L\|Matches lost}}	{{abbr\|Win %\|Win percentage}}
align=left\|Antrim \|align=left\|9 September 2019 \|align=left\|{{Update inline\|date=May 2025\|?=yes\|reason=Gleeson no longer manages Antrim. The figures presumably need to be updated from 2020 onwards.}} {{WDL\|10\|8\|2\|0\|decimals=1}}

class=wikitable style="text-align: center"

|+ Managerial league-championship record by team and tenure

rowspan=2|Team

!rowspan=2|From

!rowspan=2|To

!colspan=5|Record

align=left|Antrim

|align=left|9 September 2019

|align=left|{{Update inline|date=May 2025|?=yes|reason=Gleeson no longer manages Antrim. The figures presumably need to be updated from 2020 onwards.}}