New year, same old David Clifford.
Kerry opened their league campaign with a comprehensive 4-21 to 0-11 win over Galway in Tralee this afternoon, and while it was a fantastic team performance, there is no doubt who will steal the headlines in the coming days.
David Clifford was on fire, notching a remarkable personal tally of 3-6. All of his goals were very well taken, but the third one was something special.
With the ball rolling towards him on the ground, the 22-year old produced a stunning dummy to leave two Galway players on the ground and roll the ball into an empty net.
WOW! David Clifford completes a hat-trick against Galway with a stunning dummy finish.
This lad is something else.pic.twitter.com/xWen6WfWA5— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) May 15, 2021
The people of Kerry will be hoping that this is just the beginning of a big year for their talisman.
Speaking to Eir Sport after the game, Clifford said he was unsure where that moment of magic came from.
"It's great to get back out there"
David Clifford of @Kerry_Official reflects on a special day in which he grabbed a hat-trick. The focus for the player is now on Dublin next week.
Live on eir sport 1!#AllianzLeagues #KervGal pic.twitter.com/uh4FnE8Caa— eir Sport (@eirSport) May 15, 2021
It's a decent start. It's very hard to know the first day out (how it will go) after three weeks or whatever we had.
We're happy enough to get the win. But it's only a start...
I think things flowed well, we were moving fairly well up front. We were putting pressure on Galway up front.
We were delighted to get back out there. It's been a long five-and-a-half months or whatever it was...
Yeah, hard to know I suppose (where the dummy came from).
I played a bit of soccer in my younger days. I was a centre half though, so I don't know where that came from! Sure look, when they go in it's always nice.
Kerry will face a much sterner challenge next week, with Peter Keane's set to take on All-Ireland champions Dublin.
While we are still incredibly early in the season, there will be plenty of eyes on that one featuring what many commentators would consider the two favourites for Sam in 2021.
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