The famed David Clifford effect was in full swing in Limerick today, as a Munster junior football championship semi-final drew a sell out crowd to the small ground in Coolyroe.
Clifford's Fossa faced off with Limerick side Castlemahon, as the 2022 footballer of the year seeks to add the Munster junior title to one of the greatest individual seasons in Gaelic football history.
They went one step closer by demolishing Castlemahon by 20 points in the semi-final, setting up a Munster final against Kilmurry of Cork.
Fossa: David Clifford stars in enormous win
Paudie and David Clifford both lined out for Fossa on Saturday afternoon in their Munster semi-final clash with Castlemahon.
The small ground in Coolyroe, nearby to Castlemahon, was packed to the brim, with the 1,500 capacity selling out well in advance of the game. Fans without tickets were asked not to travel to the game - a remarkable feat to be achieved for a junior championship game (not even a final, at that), and further indication of David Clifford's immense popularity, even outside his home county.
Stand full in Coolyroe almost an hour before throw in.
David Clifford effect in full swing already.
Watch live from 1pm👇🏻https://t.co/mz10DO9NmM pic.twitter.com/ZIsMWUFcE0— Jack Neville (@JackNev30) November 26, 2022
It would turn out to be a hugely one-sided affair, with Clifford and Fossa romping to a 1-22 to 0-05 win, to put Clifford into his sixth major final of 2022. Both Clifford brothers scored 0-04 this afternoon.
In a classy touch, Clifford spent up to 15 minutes signing autographs after the final whistle. In a quaint turn of events, Limerick intercounty hurler Seamus Flanagan was on the opposition side, and the pair were seen in conversation after the game.
15 minutes after the final whistle, All-Ireland winners Seamus Flanagan and David Clifford take a quick break from signing autographs for a quick chat #GAA pic.twitter.com/OdPJiGAPah
— David Byrne (@byrne_david) November 26, 2022
It has been a phenomenal season for 23-year-old David Clifford, who has so far won an Allianz League medal, a Munster senior intercounty football medal, an All-Ireland senior intercounty medal, on top of the Kerry senior and junior championships (with East Kerry and Fossa respectively), and the All-Star player of the year. He now has the chance to add a Munster junior club football medal to that collection, with the senior championship to follow in the coming weeks.
Fossa qualified for the Munster championship in dramatic fashion, with Clifford playing a crucial role in their Kerry championship win. His last gasp point forced extra time in the final against Listry, and Fossa would go on to win by five points after extra-time, with Clifford Jr scoring 2-12 of Fossa's 4-15 on the day.
David clifford👑 pic.twitter.com/QrxuqT5R3e
— Tiérnan Rush (@tiernanrushh8) November 12, 2022
There's not a footballer in the country who can match David Clifford currently, and it seems as though anything he touches turns to gold. Fossa will be hoping he can deliver once again for them in 2022 when they face Kilmurry in the Munster junior football final on Sunday December 11.
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