Former Kerry player Pat Spillane has made a bold claim, stating that David Clifford is just as vital to Kerry as Lionel Messi is to Argentina, Cristiano Ronaldo is to Portugal, and Johnny Sexton is to Ireland, as they prepare for the All-Ireland Final.
At the young age of 24, Clifford has already solidified his status as a Gaelic football star and is being hailed by current and former players as one of the best ever. The reigning PwC All-Star Footballer of the Year has an impressive record, boasting four Munster Championships and an All-Ireland crown.
This year's Championship has seen Clifford shine, and he is expected to add to his tally of 5-39 when Dublin faces Kerry on Sunday. Spillane, who has eight All-Ireland victories with the Kingdom, praised Clifford in an interview with Paddy Power, describing him as a genius and even suggesting that he could go on to become the "Greatest of All Time."
He is a genius. I would imagine he's probably going to go on and become the GOAT,” said Spillane to Paddypower
Comparing the Kerry powerhouse to other high-profile sports stars, Spillane likened Clifford to Messi, Ronaldo, and Sexton, asserting that he operates on a different level. The former GAA pundit expressed no reservations about his admiration for the player and expressed pride that Clifford hails from Kerry.
“He's our Messi, he’s our Ronaldo, he's our Johnny Sexton. He is on a different planet. And I make no apologies about it. And we’re privileged that he is from Kerry," said the Kerry legend.
Heading into the final, Dublin is well aware that stopping Clifford will be crucial in their quest for their first All-Ireland crown since 2020. Spillane shared insights on how to contain the prolific forward, highlighting the importance of disrupting the supply to Clifford.
David Clifford of Kerry celebrates at the final whistle after his side's victory in the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Semi-Final match between Derry and Kerry at Croke Park in Dublin. (Photo By Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile via Getty Images)According to Spillane, the key lies in preventing Clifford from getting the ball and cutting off the supply line. While some may consider implementing a sweeper or man-marking strategy, Spillane believes that no individual player, either from Dublin or any other county, is capable of successfully man-marking Clifford on a one-to-one basis.
“How would you stop David Clifford? You know a gunslinger is only good if he has bullets." he added.
“If David Clifford doesn't get the ball and the supply line is cut you can’t score much without the ball. So that's the key. The key is cutting off supply.
"You can talk about a sweeper. And you can talk about who's going to man mark him but there is no one individually on a one to one basis capable in that Dublin team or in this country of man marking David Clifford a one to one.
In his view, winning the centerfield battle, dominating possession, and cutting off the supply to Clifford will be crucial for any chance of containing him effectively.
“You will have to have a sweeper but the key is winning centerfield, dominating possession and cutting off the supply," he concluded.
The highly All-Ireland Football Final is set to kick off at 3.30 on Sunday.
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