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David Clifford
David Clifford (left) with Seán Kelly in 2017
Personal information
Irish name Daithí Ó Clúmháin
Sport Gaelic football
Position Full forward
Born (1999-01-22) 22 January 1999 (age 25)
Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Occupation Secondary School Teacher
Club(s)
Years Club
2017 – Present
2018 – Present
 Fossa
East Kerry (Divisional)
Club titles
Kerry titles 4 (Senior)
1 (Junior Premier)
Munster titles 1 (Junior)
All-Ireland Titles 1 (Junior)
Colleges(s)
Years College
2017 – 2021
2021 – 2022
 IT Tralee
University of Limerick
Inter-county(ies)*
Years County Apps (scores)
2018 – Present
 Kerry 29 (12–131)
Inter-county titles
Munster titles 5
All-Irelands 1
NFL 3
All Stars 5
*Inter County team apps and scores correct as of match played 30 July 2023.

David Clifford (Irish: Daithí Ó Clúmháin) (born 22 January 1999) is an Irish Gaelic footballer who plays as a corner-forward or full-forward at club level for Fossa and East Kerry and for the Kerry county team. He is widely regarded as the best player in the game at present.[1]

Underage career

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Schools

Clifford first came to prominence when he scored 2–05 in the Hogan Cup final 2016 as St Brendan's College, Killarney saw off St Patrick's College, Maghera to deliver their first title in 24 years.[2]

Soccer

In addition to Gaelic football, Clifford also played underage soccer, as a centre-half.[3][4] The future professional English Football League players Shane McLoughlin and Dara O'Shea alongside future musician Ryan Meaney were his opponents at under-age level.[5]

Minor

Clifford made his debut on the inter-county scene at the age of sixteen when he was selected for the Kerry minor team. He enjoyed two championship seasons with the minor team and won back-to-back Munster and All-Ireland medals in 2016 and 2017. He was captain of the 2017 winning teams scoring 6–27 in six games, including 4–04 in the All-Ireland final win over Derry. He ended the 2017 season as the Minor Footballer of the Year.

Club

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Kerry, Munster & All-Ireland Junior Wins

A week after his first All-Ireland win with Kerry, Clifford scored 1–9 versus Listowel Emmets.[6] In his second match of the 2022 club championship, he again scored 1–9 versus Castlegregory. In their third group match he scored 0–10 against Listry. Against Annascaul in the quarter-final he scored 1–6 in Fossa’s victory. In their semi final win over Ardfert, he contributed 0–9 of their 0–14 total. The Junior Premier final brought Fossa and Listry together again. In Fossa’s 4–15 to 0–22 win, Clifford scored an incredible 2–12.

Fossa went on to win the 2022 Munster Junior club football championship. Clifford scoring 0–04 (0-02f) versus Feohanagh-Castlemahon (Limerick) and 0–10 (0-07f) in the final versus Kilmurry (Cork).

In the All-Ireland series Clifford scored 0–07 (0-01f) in the semi-final versus Castletown from Meath.

He guided Fossa to their first All-Ireland Junior win in a man of the match performance versus Stewartstown Harps GFC. He scored 0–11 (0-03f) and was sent off in the dying moments having received a second yellow card.[7]

From left to right: Templenoe's Tom Spillane, Fossa chairman Dermot Clifford, former GAA president Seán Kelly, David Clifford and Fossa secretary Merry Talbot, in 2017

East Kerry

Clifford plays with East Kerry at both underage and senior level.

At underage level he won two Kerry Minor Football Championship titles in 2016 and 2017. He won a Kerry Under-21 Football Championship title in 2018.

He later lined out in the Kerry Senior Football Championship with the divisional side. He is two time county champion, winning the 2019 Kerry Senior Football Championship and the 2020 Kerry Senior Football Championship.

In 2019 he scored 1–6 in the quarter-final, 0–9 in the semi-final and 1–3 in the final. [1][2]

In 2020 he scored 1–5 in the quarter-final and 1–4 in the final. [3] [4]

In 2021, a straight knock out championship was in place. Clifford scored 0–2 as East Kerry lost to eventual champions Austin Stacks.

Clifford made his 2022 debut as a substitute in the win against Spa. He scored 0–3 after being introduced in the 40th minute. He scored 0–7 in the quarter final versus Kenmare Shamrocks. He won his third Kerry Senior Football Championship beating Mid Kerry in the final, scoring 1–9 in the process.

In 2023, Clifford made his debut in a ten minute cameo against Templenoe. He started the quarter final against St. Kierans and scored 1-5 in a 4-19 to 0-12 win. His 1-3 helped ensure progression to the Kerry senior final at the expense of Rathmore on a score line of 1-16 to 1-10.

Kerry

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2018

Clifford made his senior debut during the 2018 National Football League.[8]

He won his first Munster Senior Football Championship title later that summer after over coming Clare (0–2) and then Cork (0–2) in the final.

Kerry failed to progress from their Super 8’s group stage. Clifford scoring 1–5 against Galway, 1–3 against Monaghan and 2–6 against Kildare.

He ended the year with an All Star and as GAA/GPA Young Footballer of the Year.

2019

In 2019, Clifford again won the Munster Senior Football Championship with Kerry, scoring 0–3 in the semi-final versus Clare and scoring 0–4 in the final versus Cork.

In the Super 8 quarter final group stage, Clifford scored 0–7 against Mayo, 0–3 against Donegal and was rested against Meath. He scored 0–5 in the semi-final against Tyrone.

Kerry went on to reach the All-Ireland senior final versus Dublin. Clifford scored 0–2 in the drawn match and 0–5 in the replay, as Dublin ran out 1–18 to 0–15 winners.

He ended the year with an All Star.

2020

Clifford was selected as Kerry captain due to the Kerry Senior Football Championship being won by his East Kerry side.

Kerry won the 2020 National Football League after winning 5 of their 7 matches. This was Clifford’s first national league title.

Clifford scored 0–4 in the shock Munster Senior Football Championship semi final loss to Cork. The 2020 championship was straight knock-out and as such was his only championship game that year.

2021

He scored a hat-trick against Galway in the opening round of the 2021 National Football League.[9] Kerry would go on to share the National League title with Dublin this year delivering Clifford his second league title.

He won his third Munster Senior Football Championship defeating Clare (1–6), Tipperary (1–2) and Cork (0–1).

Kerry reached the All-Ireland semi final in which they faced Tyrone. Clifford scored 0–8 on the day, however, due to injury he could not take part in extra-time. Tyrone ran out winners 3–14 to 0–22.

He ended the year with an All Star.

2022

Clifford won his third National League to start the inter county season. In the final versus Mayo he scored 1–6, 1–5 from play.

His fourth Munster championship arrived in 2022. In the semi-final he scored 0–4 however, injury prevented Clifford from playing in the final versus Limerick.

The All-Ireland quarter final versus Mayo saw Clifford return from injury. He scored 1–3 in the win. A semi final win over Dublin was secured on the back of his 0–6.

Clifford scored 0–8 in the 2022 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final and in the process won his first All-Ireland Senior Football Championship. He was chosen as man of the match due to his performance.

He won his fourth All Star and was selected as GAA/GPA Footballer of the Year and The Sunday Game Footballer of the Year.

2023

Clifford was selected as captain for the 2023 season.

He made his season debut as a second-half substitute in Kerry’s round 3 league match against Mayo. He played in 5 league games as Kerry finished 5th in the Division 1 league.

Clifford was named at full forward for their Munster semi-final against Tipperary. He scored 0–02 in their 0–25 to 0–05 win.

Clifford was awarded the man of the match award in their Munster final against Clare. He scored 2–6 in their 5–14 to 0–15 win. He played in the match alongside brother Paudie as a tribute to their mother Ellen Clifford who passed away the previous day.

In Kerry’s first All-Ireland round robin match versus Mayo, Clifford scored 0–08 (0-03f) in a Kerry loss. Clifford scored 1–05 (1–00p, 0-01f) in their second round win versus Cork. He scored 2-04 (1-00p) in their final round robin win versus Louth. This guaranteed Kerry top spot and direct progress to the quarter finals.

Clifford contributed 0-05 (0-03f) in the All-Ireland quarter final victory over Tyrone. Kerry winning on a score line of 2-18 to 0-12.

A man of the match performance in the All Ireland Semi Final ensured Kerry’s progress. He contributed 0-09 (0-04f) in a 1-17 to 1-15 win.

In the All-Ireland Final, it was Dublin who emerged victorious on a score line of 1-15 to 1-13. Clifford scored 0-03 (0-01f) in his tussle with Mick Fitzsimmons.

He won his fifth All Star and was selected as GAA/GPA Footballer of the Year for a second time.

Personal life

Clifford and his girlfriend Shauna O'Connor have one son named Óigí, born in September 2021.[10]

His brother Paudie Clifford is also a member of the Kerry team and a fellow All-Ireland winner.

He studied in Institute of Technology, Tralee and graduated with a degree in health and leisure. In August 2022, he graduated with a Masters in PE teaching at the University of Limerick.[11][12]

He has worked alongside Shane Enright for the Bank of Ireland, where he was hired for the summer in 2018.[13] Clifford is a teacher in his alma mater St Brendan's College, Killarney.

He supports Celtic.[14][15][16]

Career statistics

Legend
Won Competition
Bold Career high

Club

As of 21 August 2023
Fossa GAA
Year Championship Apps Score
2017 Junior Premier 2 2-04
2018 Junior Premier 2 3-02
2019 Junior Premier 3 2–11
2020 Junior Premier 3 1-09
2020 O'Donoghue Cup 1 0-05
2021 Junior Premier 4 3–15
2022 Junior Premier 6 5–55
2022 Munster Junior 2 0–14
2023 All-Ireland Junior 2 0–18
2023 Intermediate 2 0-14
Career total 27 16–147

Division

As of 24 October 2023
Team Season Kerry SFC
Apps Score
East Kerry 2017 4 2-01
2018 4 5–13
2019 5 2–29
2020 3 2–15
2021 1 0-02
2022 5 2–24
2023 3 2–08
Career total 25 15–92

College

Sigerson Cup
Year College Apps Score
2018 IT Tralee 1 1-04
2019 IT Tralee 0 0-00
2020 IT Tralee 1 0-05
2021 University of Limerick 0 0-00
2022 University of Limerick 6 6–21
Career total 8 7–30

Inter-county

As of 18 June 2023
Team Year McGrath Cup National League Munster All-Ireland Total
Apps Score Division Apps Score Apps Score Apps Score Apps Score
Kerry Minor 2016 — 3 1–14 3 1–13 6 2–27
2017 — 2 2–14 2 4–13 4 6–27
Total — 5 3–28 5 5–26 10 8–54
Kerry 2018 — Division 1 6 0–21 2 0-04 3 4–14 11 4–39
2019 — 2 0–07 2 0–07 5 0–22 9 0–36
2020 — 7 2–32 1 0–04 — 8 2–36
2021 — 4 6–22 3 2–09 1 0–08 8 8–39
2022 2 1-06 8 5–28 1 0–04 3 1–17 12 6–49
2023 — 5 1–14 2 2–08 6 3–34 13 6–56
Total 2 1-06 32 14–124 11 4–36 18 8–95 61 27–261

Championship appearances

List of appearances
Date Venue Opponent Score Result W/L/D Competition
1 3 June 2018 Fitzgerald Stadium Clare 0–02 0–32 : 0–10 W Munster Semi-Final
2 18 June 2018 Páirc Uí Chaoimh Cork 0–02 3–18 : 2–04 W Munster Final
3 15 July 2018 Croke Park Galway 1–05 1–10 : 1–13 L Super 8's Round 1
4 22 July 2018 St Tiernach's Park Monaghan 1–03 1–17 : 1–17 D Super 8's Round 2
5 5 August 2018 Fitzgerald Stadium Kildare 2–06 3–25 : 2–16 W Super 8's Round 3
6 1 June 2019 Cusack Park Clare 0-03 1–15 : 0–12 W Munster Semi-final
7 22 June 2019 Páirc Uí Chaoimh Cork 0–04 1–19 : 3–10 W Munster Final
8 14 July 2019 Fitzgerald Stadium Mayo 0–07 1–22 : 1–15 W Super 8's Round 1
9 21 July 2019 Croke Park Donegal 0–03 1–20 : 1–20 D Super 8's Round 2
10 14 July 2019 Croke Park Tyrone 0–05 1–18 : 0–18 W All-Ireland Semi-Final
11 1 September 2019 Croke Park Dublin 0–02 1–16 : 1–16 D All-Ireland Final
12 14 September 2019 Croke Park Dublin 0–05 0–15 : 1–18 L All-Ireland Final
13 8 November 2020 Páirc Uí Chaoimh Cork 0–04 0–13 : 1–12 L Munster Semi-Final
14 21 June 2021 Fitzgerald Stadium Clare 1–06 3–22 : 1–11 W Munster Quarter-Final
15 10 July 2021 Semple Stadium Tipperary 1–02 1–19 : 1–08 W Munster Semi-Final
16 25 July 2021 Fitzgerald Stadium Cork 0–01 4–22 : 1–09 W Munster Final
17 28 August 2021 Croke Park Tyrone 0–08 0–22 : 3–14 L All-Ireland Semi-Final
18 7 May 2022 Páirc Uí Rinn Cork 0–04 0–23 : 0–11 W Munster Semi-Final
19 26 June 2022 Croke Park Mayo 1–03 1–18 : 0–13 W All-Ireland Quarter-Final
20 10 July 2022 Croke Park Dublin 0–06 1–14 : 1–13 W All-Ireland Semi-Final
21 24 July 2022 Croke Park Galway 0–08 0–20 : 0–16 W All-Ireland Final
22 22 April 2023 Fitzgerald Stadium Tipperary 0–02 0–25 : 0–05 W Munster Semi-Final
23 7 May 2023 Gaelic Grounds Clare 2-06 5–14 : 0–15 W Munster Final
24 20 May 2023 Fitzgerald Stadium Mayo 0–08 0–17 : 1–19 L All-Ireland Group
25 3 June 2023 Páirc Uí Chaoimh Cork 1-05 1–14 : 0–15 W All-Ireland Group
26 18 June 2023 O'Moore Park Louth 2-04 5–24 : 0–11 W All-Ireland Group
27 1 July 2023 Croke Park Tyrone 0-05 2–18 : 0–12 W All-Ireland Quarter Final
28 16 July 2023 Croke Park Derry 0-09 1–17 : 1–15 W All-Ireland Semi Final
29 30 July 2023 Croke Park Dublin 0-03 1–13 : 1–15 L All-Ireland Final

All-Ireland Final scores

List of appearances
# Date Venue Opponent Score Play W/L Result
1 1 September 2019 Croke Park, Dublin Dublin 0–02 0–02 D 1–16 : 1–16
2 14 September 2019 Croke Park, Dublin Dublin 0–05 0–04 L 0–15 : 1–18
3 24 July 2022 Croke Park, Dublin Galway 0–08 0–03 W 0–20 : 0–16
4 30 July 2023 Croke Park, Dublin Dublin 0–03 0–01 L 1–13 : 1-15
All-Ireland Senior Football Finals Scoring Total
Scores (Total) Scores (Play) Games Average
0–18 (18pts) 0–11 (11pts) 4 games 4.50

Honours

St Brendan's College
Fossa
East Kerry
Kerry
Individual

References

  1. ^ O’Sé, Marc. "Marc Ó Sé: David Clifford 'on another level' to great Kerry forwards". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  2. ^ Cormican, Eoghan. "David Clifford the hero as St Brendan's end 24-year Hogan Cup wait". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  3. ^ "Byrne: I played for Ireland with lads who saw us as a B team". Irish Independent. 5 September 2018.
  4. ^ "'I don't know where that came from but when they go in it's always nice'". Hogan Stand. 16 May 2021. 'I played a bit of soccer in my younger days', he told eir Sport when asked about that sublime piece of skill. 'I was a centre half though so I don't know where that came from but when they go in it's always nice'.
  5. ^ "'I went against the grain by not playing GAA ... but it wasn't what I wanted to do'". Irish Independent. 16 February 2019.
  6. ^ "Kerry star David Clifford delivers 1–9 for Fossa on return to club action against Listowel Emmets". The Kerryman. 1 August 2022.
  7. ^ Fogarty, John (15 January 2023). "David Clifford leads Fossa to All-Ireland club glory in ill-tempered final". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  8. ^ "David Clifford in line to make senior Kerry debut in 2018 National League". Irish Independent. 18 December 2017.
  9. ^ "'I don't know where that came from' – Clifford coy on stunning finish for hat-trick". RTÉ. 16 May 2021.
  10. ^ O'Loughlin, Mikie (12 December 2021). "Kerry GAA star David Clifford and girlfriend Shauna O'Connor welcome first baby together". RSVP Live. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  11. ^ "David Clifford on dealing with expectation, life away from Kerry and missing soccer". The 42. 11 May 2022. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  12. ^ Moloney, Eoghan (24 August 2022). "Kerry footballer David Clifford adds University of Limerick master's to his long list of summer feats". Irish Independent.
  13. ^ Keys, Colm (18 July 2018). "Shane Enright reveals how his mum was confronted by an abusive Kerry 'fan' after 2017 Mayo defeat". Irish Independent.
  14. ^ "Turns out prodigious gaelic football talent..." Twitter. 1 February 2020.
  15. ^ "David Clifford All Ireland winner and Celtic supporter..." Twitter. 24 July 2022.
  16. ^ Verney, Michael (12 May 2022). "David Clifford: Fatherhood has changed my outlook on football". Irish Independent.
  17. ^ O'Brien, Kevin (24 July 2022). "David Clifford lands All-Ireland football final man of the match award". The 42. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
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