Superstar Clifford Was Marked For Stardom From Young Age

Stardom and nan unit to present tin make aliases break a player, but temperament must compliment talent - and David Clifford is lacking successful neither area.

The 26-year-old - who bids for his 2nd All-Ireland elder title connected Sunday erstwhile Kerry return connected Donegal - was erstwhile described arsenic Gaelic football's reply to Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Johnny Sexton.

Hyperbole aliases a fitting comparison?

As a teenager, Clifford was marked for stardom.

His tally of 2-5 helped St Brendan's College to nan 2016 Hogan Cup (All-Ireland schools) title and he recovered nan nett later that twelvemonth successful nan All-Ireland insignificant last arsenic Kerry hit Galway.

However, it was successful nan pursuing year's insignificant last erstwhile a singular haul of 4-4 successful triumph complete Derry made nan wider sporting nationalist beryllium up and return notice.

"I was astatine that crippled and you were thinking, 'no insignificant tin present nether that pressure', but he did astatine 17," Dara O Cinneide, a three-time All-Ireland victor pinch Kerry, told BBC Sport NI.

"The twelvemonth earlier erstwhile they hit Galway he produced exceptional stuff. Sean Mulkerrin marked him well, but 50 minutes in, he goes connected a crazy solo tally and puts nan shot into nan apical area - 1 of his quieter games that year."

The man from Fossa - who has deed 8-53 successful 8 title games this twelvemonth - is nan latest successful a agelong statement of Kerry forwards who person lit up Gaelic football.

The lineage is rather singular arsenic anterior to Clifford's emergence, location was Colm 'Gooch' Cooper, preceded by Maurice Fitzgerald, Mikey Sheehy, Pat Spillane and Denis 'Ogie' Moran to sanction but a few.

O Cinneide, now president of his nine An Ghaeltacht, is different whose sanction is firmly enshrined successful nan Kerry hallway of fame - really does nan region proceed to nutrient generational talents?

"I don't deliberation it's coincidence," says O Cinneide.

"A young David Clifford is successful St Brendan's successful Killarney and there's a image of Colm Cooper up location - I'm judge a leader to him and his vintage erstwhile they were kids.

"When 'Gooch' was there, he'd astir apt look up to Maurice Fitzgerald.

"I cognize his begetter is simply a GAA obsessive and a awesome protagonist erstwhile I was playing. His uncle went to assemblage pinch maine and, again, they obsess astir nan game."

Clifford was added to nan Kerry elder sheet successful 2018 arsenic an 18-year-old, and though that summertime was acold from vintage pinch an early title exit for nan Kingdom, he proved his worthy by scoring a clutch last-gasp extremity against Monaghan to unafraid a draw.

His performances earned him nan Young Player of nan Year grant that play arsenic good arsenic nan first of his 5 All-Stars that person besides been complimented pinch Player of nan Year awards successful 2022 and 2023.

But it was successful 2019 erstwhile he first sewage to grace nan Croke Park transportation connected All-Ireland last time - doubly successful fact. Taken to a replay, Kerry were beaten by Dublin, who completed an unprecedented 5 in-a-row.

Success connected nan grandest shape would travel 3 years later arsenic Clifford scored 8 points successful Kerry's 0-20 to 0-16 triumph complete Galway, though to day that is his only Celtic Cross successful a region wherever occurrence is measured only successful All-Ireland titles.

The Kingdom lead nan rotation of honour having lifted Sam Maguire 38 times and, speech from Dublin, their 24 losses connected last time is much than immoderate different county's wins.

Two of those losses came successful nan past 3 finals and, should they autumn short again this week, it would correspond a mediocre return successful nan eyes of nan Kerry public.

"You request that spot of fearfulness going into a last and knowing what needs to beryllium addressed," O Cinneide stressed.

"I for illustration to show group who emotion to eulogise Kerry shot that cipher has mislaid much finals than Kerry.

"We cognize that emotion of waking up connected nan Monday greeting having lost, nan vitriol that pours down erstwhile supporters move connected you. We saw that 5 aliases six weeks agone [after conclusion to Meath], truthful it should motivate them moreover more."

Perhaps it is unkind to opportunity Clifford has conscionable 1 All-Ireland title as, speech from his underage exploits, location was an All-Ireland Junior Club triumph for Fossa successful 2023.

It is striking to spot aft galore of those nine games, and so countless outings pinch Kerry, that young supporters make a beeline for him astatine nan last whistle. He whitethorn beryllium a superstar connected nan pitch, but his humble quality is besides portion of nan appeal.

It still comes down to talent and Clifford has it all: near foot, correct foot, balance, power, gait and poise.

There is besides a bravery successful his play arsenic though location are periods successful games wherever nan radar is off, he continues to backmost himself, conscionable arsenic he did successful this year's All-Ireland semi-final against Tyrone erstwhile a mates of misses were a prelude to a superb extremity which formed portion of his haul of 1-9 connected nan day.

"Before that [goal] he kicked a mates of wides but you cognize he's nan type of fella who processes that and location will beryllium thing exceptional coming," O Cinneide added.

"Like each of nan awesome forwards, nan strategy is to get them connected nan ball.

"I don't cognize what Donegal's scheme is for Clifford but provided he's afloat fresh and there's a proviso statement there, he'll present because he ever does."