JBM: David Clifford ‘way up and beyond’ the best everThe latest batch of superlatives for Kerry’s poster boy arrived following his 16-point haul that nudged Fossa into next Sunday’s Kerry intermediate final. Mon, 07 Sep, 2026 – 22:04Larry Ryan
Cork superstar Jimmy Barry Murphy is well acquainted with greatness and well placed to anoint David Clifford’s as Gaelic football’s GOAT.
The latest batch of superlatives for Kerry’s poster boy arrived following his 16-point haul that nudged Fossa into next Sunday’s Kerry intermediate final – putting the small club on the cusp of senior football for the first time.
Fossa trailed Beaufort by nine points five minutes into the second half of Sunday’s semi-final but the Cliffords kicked into top gear to power Fossa home after extra-time, Paudie Clifford adding five to his brother’s tally.
Reviewing David’s efforts for new Irish Examiner show The Replay with Seánie McGrath, Barry Murphy, who won a football All-Ireland as well as five hurling titles, says Clifford has ended all debate about football’s greatest.
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“I certainly wasn’t anywhere near that league, I can assure you,” he told McGrath.
“We were talking over the last few months, pub talk, with my friends about the greatest players we’ve ever seen. I was lucky enough to play in an era when I saw some of the greatest Kerry players of all time, I thought. But there’s no doubt that this man is certainly way up and beyond anything I’ve ever seen in my life.
“Left foot, right foot, power, strength. He’s just got everything. This man is up there on his own. No question, he’s the best I’ve ever seen.
“And it’s great to see a player like that showing up for his club and showing that commitment and what it means to him.
“And in fairness, in the All-Ireland final when Kerry were beaten by Mayo, the two outstanding Kerry players were Paudie and David Clifford.”
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