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23rd July 2025
09:40am BST
David Clifford is favourite to be named Footballer of the Year for a third time in four years, raising debate as to whether he is football’s GOAT.
Clifford’s Kerry prepare to face Donegal on Sunday in the All-Ireland SFC Final at Croke Park, after a year to remember for the 26-year-old.
Donegal manager Jim McGuinness was asked this week for his views on Clifford’s legacy, and revealed he’d just had a similar conversation with his son.
“Myself and Mark Anthony (son) were chatting about it on the way up in the car there and we were talking about the fact that he (Clifford) could be the best player that has ever played the game and time will tell on that I suppose.
"You can never make that assertion until somebody hangs up the boots but certainly he's an exceptional football player.
"He seems to be very driven this year. He's carrying the fight I would almost say with a determination and aggressiveness like an attacking aggressiveness - when he sees a gap he's just really going for that gap.
"Even some of the scorers even in Croke Park - he's not kicking it over, he's firing it over.
"It's almost like he's putting down markers and I think he's leading from the front, literally.”
Kerry manager Jack O’Connor also this week hit back at claims they are a “one-man team” with David Clifford.
David Clifford’s contributions to Kerry’s run – hitting 1-05 against Tyrone and 0-07 against Armagh – has prompted many to suggest they are overly reliant on the forward.
But O’Connor insists the quality of contribution is spread right across the team.
“It’s always the mantra by us that we want the burden shared,” he told RTE Sport.
“We’ve managed to do that fairly well in different games. The likes of Joe O’Connor, Seán O’Shea, and different players have stepped up on different days.
“I don’t think we’re a one-man team, the way some people try to portray us,” O’Connor added, while smiling.
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