The whispers that carried David Clifford's name drifted out of the kingdom and across the country last year, as the young Kerry forward beguiled Croke Park with a couple of exceptional displays. He won the Hogan Cup with Sem last April, and he scored 2-5 of his side's 2-13: the opposition outscored him by just a point, and the second goal was worthy of winning any final. Oh, and he was then jocked in his post-match interview.
Clifford was back in Croke Park in September with the Kerry minors, and once again starred: this solo goal the outstanding individual moment. Absurdly, Clifford may retain that title in September, as he is still under-18 this year.
He was in action for Kerry against Cork in the Munster minor semi-final, and he continued to mock the rest of the age group.
Despite conceding a goal from the first attack of the game, Kerry won out on a scoreline of 2-17 to 1-10, a ten-point victory. Of that Kerry total, Clifford kicked 2-8 of it, all but three points coming from play (two of which were frees, one a sideline-kick). That means that Clifford managed to outscore Cork by himself.
Even the Cork fans were applauding Clifford:
As Kerry continue to dominate at minor level, the judgement on Clifford ranged from impressed to the downright stupefied:
Kerry win 20th consecutive game at Minor level with 2-16 to 1-10 win over Cork. 2-8 for David Clifford as Devidas Usois makes 2 great saves.
— Jason O'Connor (@jayojourno) May 10, 2017
Just the 2-8 for David Clifford for @Kerry_Official minors against Cork. Phenom!
— Kevin Mc Gillicuddy (@KMcGillicuddy86) May 10, 2017
Some performance for @Kerry_Official David Clifford tonight. Best minor i've seen since our own @BrendanMurphy17
— John Kelly (@Kellyjohn85) May 10, 2017
Full-time at PUR Cork 1-11; Kerry 2-17. David Clifford is an awesome player at this level, a joy to watch if we could be neutral. #gaa
— Mary Hannon (@MaryHannon10) May 10, 2017
I make it 2-8 of 2-17 from David Clifford in Operation Rebel Demolition - Kerry 2-17 Cork 2-8 Munster MFC Semi at Páirc Uí Rinn #BeastMode
— Tom Rooney (@_TR69) May 10, 2017
David Clifford. One for all counties to fear #KerryGaa #ElectricIrelandGAA
— Aoife Dowd (@aoifedowd) May 10, 2017
Magnificent. Not that Radio Kerry see this as anything out of the ordinary: rather than stay on air to discuss after delivering live commentary of another amazing Clifford performance, they cut straight to That's Jazz With Brian Priestley upon full-time.
When that level of performance becomes routine, you know that Dublin have something to worry about in a couple of years.
See Also: Derek McGrath Sadly Rules Out Dan Shanahan Returning To Intercounty Hurling
