David Clifford gives an exhibition as Kerry edge Galway in the All-Ireland final
David Clifford gives an exhibition as Kerry edge Galway in the All-Ireland final: David Clifford, a member of the sports program at RTÉ, resigned ahead of their sensational All-Ireland final win against Galway to take home the “man-of-the-match” for the finale. He beat off competition from Shane Walsh, the Galway player who came in second. In a spectacular performance, he kicked four points in each half and was awarded his first Celtic Cross.
The panel agreed David has the talent and brains that the ultimate Gaelic Football player should. Colm Cooper, Eamonn Fitzmaurice, Colm O’Rourke, Noelle Healy, Oisin McConville and Rory Gallagher said this about him as well. By many accounts, David is very grounded and he also comes from a great hockey family and a great hockey club. He’s been playing football since he was a kid with experienced in the game since he’s a dad now. It’s all going well for David who would be happy to give the glory back to God with his play on the field.
“It’s not the end of us,” said Kerry, “We’re just getting started.” When the go-ahead free needed to be kicked, Kerry wanted nobody else only the player they’ve been waiting on since his Junior Certificate.
In their dreams, they always hoped David Clifford would be like this when he came back from retirement. This was who the Kerry players sent away for. Eight points in one All-Ireland final. One kick missed from nine taken. The one sure route into the scoreboard in a first half that saw the other players come out in hives when faced with a shot at goal.
Despite a field day against Seán Kelly from start to finish, he did not score. Midway through the game, however, as the match spiralled out of control and it was every man for himself, Clifford was positioned perfectly on the free-throw line to convert when Galway pulled even.
The Irish golf champ expressed hope his tee shot went over after leaving a few tryouts at the bottom that lead to his success in a major event. The gruelling work with former AFL legend Maurice Fitz contributed to him becoming confident, which led him to win.
On a windy day, at the lowest point of the stadium, when the playing field was too slippery for some players on the One-Two kick-off, Dominic Ryan’s steal was defended by linesman Barry Cassidy and brought up closer to the sideline.
No offence to the team that just lost, but Kerry has been waiting on Leinster’s Johnny Sexton for years. He managed to find a way through the defence time and time again. In the end, he managed to send the ball around the post like a rainbow.