NO surprise then.
The public has voted Kerry forward David Clifford as the GAA.ie Footballer of the Week.
The Fossa man received 8,805 votes on the GAA’s Official Instagram page, ahead of Galway’s Paul Conroy and Cavan’s Paddy Lynch.
He gave a stunning performance in the Allianz Football League Division 1 Final win over Mayo on Sunday, scoring 1-6 (1-5 from play) including a wonderful goal. It all bodes well for the forthcoming championship season.
THE first of many?
Kerry may have been eliminated at the Super 8 stage of the All-Ireland series but it was enough to earn one young man a All-Star.
David Clifford’s star turns, especially in the games against Galway, Kildare and Monaghan, sees him win the accolade in the right corner forward position.
Dublin have seven All Stars, Monaghan have three, Tyrone two, and Galway and Donegal have one each.
The 2018 PwC Football All-Stars are;
Goalkeeper
1. Rory Beggan (Monaghan)
Defenders
2. Jonny Cooper (Dublin)
3. Colm Cavanagh (Tyrone)
4. Padraig Hampsey (Tyrone)
5. Karl O’Connell (Monaghan)
6. James McCarthy (Dublin)
7. Jack McCaffrey (Dublin)
Midfielders
8. Brian Fenton (Dublin)
9. Brian Howard (Dublin)
Forwards
10. Paul Mannion (Dublin)
11. Ciaran Kilkenny (Dublin)
12. Ryan McHugh (Donegal)
13. David Clifford (Kerry)
14. Conor McManus (Monaghan)
15. Ian Burke (Galway)
MERCY Mounthawk held its first ever Primary Schools’ GAA blitz recently.
A dozen teams from the Tralee area competed for the Buddy O’Grady Perpetual Cup. Buddy, who retired as caretaker in 2017, has been instrumental in the development of GAA teams at the School over the years and was present for the day.
Fuelled by local sponsors Domino’s Pizza and Lee Strand, some fantastic football was played with Kerry footballer David Clifford on hand to impart knowledge to the players.
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Clifford spoke very well to the enthralled youngsters and emphasised playing for fun and the importance of developing skills, before partaking in a fun Q & A.
In the end, Holy Family Primary School proved victorious, winning every game playing a free flowing style of football. The future of Kerry football looks bright with over 150 children participating. Scroll down for photos…
ACCORDING to media reports this morning, Kerry minor football star David Clifford will be staying in the county and will not be disappearing down under to the AFL.
After talks with Eamonn Fitzmaurice, the 18-year-old forward will attempt to make inroads into the Kerry senior team this coming year says Tony Leen in the Irish Examiner.
Great news for Kerry football. The Fossa star lit up Kerry’s minor campaigns over the past two years and hopes are high that his talent will be developed in the senior set-up over the next few seasons.
ANOTHER victory for the Kerry minors, another masterclass from David Clifford.
The young man from Fossa is a phenomenal talent. He scored four goals in a sensational 60 minutes for Kerry where they beat Derry by 6-17 to 1-8 and Twitter took notice.
David Clifford has been trending since the game started and it’s not hard to see why. Here’s what people had to say…
If David Clifford was a horse he would def be retired to stud and getting the best fillies in the world 😂😂 #kerry #mayo #derry #dublin
— jayod (@jason_donoghue) September 17, 2017
Already more than enough David Clifford material for a Laochra Gael episode there @TG4TV
— Pauric Gill (@Gill_i_bix) September 17, 2017
I’ve seen the future of Kerry football and his name is David Clifford
— Ian O’Riordan (@ianoriordan) September 17, 2017
Rumours have it that Maurice Fitz AND the Gooch both wear David Clifford pajamas! #thingsthatcliffdid
— Kevin Mc Gillicuddy (@KMcGillicuddy86) September 17, 2017
If #Kerry‘s David Clifford was a soccer player, Barcelona would be looking to replace Messi with him – buy him at any price#allIrelandFinal pic.twitter.com/0W5DnEhoqT
— Anaglogs Daughter (@AnaglogsDaughtr) September 17, 2017
Ah lads, what even is David Clifford? It’s actually lousy what he’s doing out there.
— Alan O Connor (@The_Sheriff_10) September 17, 2017
#davidclifford pic.twitter.com/hGTgJwwNVO
— Brendan Griffin (@slowmo81) September 17, 2017
Be a lot of inter county full backs age 17-18 thinking about changing position or even sports #clifford #differentgravy
— Alan Costello (@AlanCos1) September 17, 2017
does the Gaa POTY have to be a senior player.. #Clifford #Sensation #Gaa
— Peter O’Leary (@poleary7) September 17, 2017
Ah stop #Clifford
— David Keane (@keane2097) September 17, 2017
If David Clifford gets taken to the afl we riot,he can win Kerry many all Irelands
— johnny daughton (@daughton10) September 17, 2017
There’s no show like a……….. #DavidClifford show! #CiarraíAbú #Kerry #AllIrelandMinorFinal #KervDer
— John FitzGerald (@Jdbfitzgerald) September 17, 2017
How good is David Clifford ?? Best minor of all time !!!! @kerrygaa
— joby kelly (@JobyKelly) September 17, 2017
@Kerry_Official minor superstar David Clifford has some football career ahead of him. Shame it’s probably in Sydney with the @sydneyswans.
— Simon Twomey (@SiTwomey) September 17, 2017
@TadhgKennelly there’s a lad in Ireland who has potential, he’s David Clifford, can you try wrangle a deal for him? From your friendly Dub
— Eoin Halpin (@happytohalp) September 17, 2017
This David Clifford is some player!! Basically the Gooch playing in David Moran’s body. #GAA #RTEGAA #Kerry #minor
— Alan Boyle (@alanboyle88) September 17, 2017
Give David clifford whatever he wants and I will personally offer to stand at Dublin airport and block him from boarding a plane to oz.
— Lucy O’ Shea (@lucyoshea) September 17, 2017
David Clifford is utterly ridiculous
— Conor McLornan (@conor867) September 17, 2017
Happy David Clifford Day! What a talent.
— Ger Treacy (@ImGerTreacy) September 17, 2017
David Clifford is overrated…. only messing he is the Messiah and already deserves a testimonial #davidclifford pic.twitter.com/bT3NIgJHES
— Oisin Langan (@oisinlangan) September 17, 2017
It must be fair depressing marking David Clifford….he looks bolloxed all the time but yet he’s roastin you every time #minor #GAA
— alanclaw (@whathappenedted) September 17, 2017
#kerrygaa need @realDonaldTrump to build a wall and prevent those Down Under from stealing #DavidClifford @radiokerrysport @Kerry_Official
— Trevor O’ Sullivan (@elvisrockysly) September 17, 2017
Literally David Clifford pic.twitter.com/mRvNXVeJcm
— Kevin McGettigan (@KevinMcGettigan) September 17, 2017
David Clifford should be made carry a ball and chain at this level. He’s taking the absolute piss
— Pat Barry (@PatBarry5) September 17, 2017
Poor derry full back has the “fuck this im not marking david clifford any more” injury #hardtoblamehim
— Brendan Griffin (@slowmo81) September 17, 2017
THE IT Tralee has honoured four students who have achieved great honours in their chosen sports this year.
Kerry minors footballers David Clifford and Fionan MacKessy, rower Monika Dukarska and Shauna Kelly received presentations at a lunch in The Rose Hotel on Tuesday, from the IT Tralee President, Dr Oliver Murphy.
The college wished to acknowledge the students, who range from First Years to Masters, for their high level of achievements in the sporting world.
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David Clifford from Fossa gained national attention thanks to his star turns in the All-Ireland minor championship and Hogan Cup this year. Fionan MacKessy from Ardfert was also a member of the Kerry panel who won the All-Ireland.
Rower Monika Dukarska, from Killorglin, won a bronze medal at the World University Championships in Poland back in September while Shauna Kelly was wing-back on the Cork ladies football team who won six in a row of All-Ireland titles this year. Well done to all.
KERRY’s dual county status could be cemented following the announcement that Kingdom players have won both the GAA.ie Hurling and Football Player of the Week honours.
Firing 1-9 for Kerry in the ten point beating of Laois on Saturday, Shane Nolan, wins hurler of the week coming away with 51% of the online vote over Cork and Tipperary stars.
Picking up the ‘big ball’ award is David Clifford of St Brendan’s Collage, Killarney, who was instrumental in helping his side win the Hogan Cup beating St Pats, Derry on Saturday and got 59% of the vote ahead of Cavan and Dublin senior players.
Just two weeks ago Kerry’s John Egan picked up the honour in hurling for his performance against Offaly. Long may this success continue.
GAA.ie HURLING PLAYER OF THE WEEK
1: Shane Nolan (Kerry) – 3447 votes (51 per cent)
2: John McGrath (Tipperary) – 1950 votes (28 per cent)
3: Conor Lehane (Cork) -1488 votes (21 per cent)
GAA.ie FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
1. David Clifford (St. Brendan’s College, Killarney) – 5,552 votes (59 per cent)
2. Gearoid McKiernan (Cavan) – 2462 votes (26 per cent)
3. Dean Rock (Dublin) – 1355 votes (15 per cent)
