Kerry's next great hope has graduated with every honour imaginable.
David Clifford kicked just the 4-4 against Derry in Sunday's minor final, to bring his total haul from 12 minor championship games to a frankly absurd 10-68. The hope is that he will remain in the Kingdom and rebuff any advances from the AFL, and if that happens there will be an internecine tug-of-war: if Clifford plays with the Kerry under-20s team, then he won't be eligible for senior football.
To reflect on Clifford's magical performance in Croke Park last weekend, Radio Kerry spoke to his grandmother Breeda Clifford to get her reaction to what she termed a "wonderful day".
When asked what it is like to be Clifford's grandmother after one of the finest individual performances ever seen at minor level, she gave a terrific answer.
I was his grandmother yesterday and I’m the same grandmother today…. When he started to walk, the first thing that came in the door with David was his football. He played in my yard. I often heard a bang on the window and I said, oh, my God, is it gone? It survived and they moved from the yard to my little orchard.
I saw, oh, some of my flower beds are flat but they’ll all be up again tomorrow.
The first day David went to school, his mam sent me a photograph of Paudie (his brother) and himself outside their front door, his little bag on his back and in both his hands was David’s football. That has been the story of David all along.
I'd go over to visit and ask, 'Where is David?' 'Where do you think Nana?' David was outside hitting it up against the wall of the house, or his Dad put up a pair of little goals, so there he'd be.
David is only doing it because he loves it.
I've never been to any of David's matches because I'm unable to travel. But ever since he lined out for the final of the Hogan Cup last April twelve months, I've phoned David and the phone call between myself and David has followed on last year and this year. That's my link with David, and I hope now that he;'s going to take me to Fossa, I'd like to see him in person.
Brilliant.
Listen back on Radio Kerry's website.
