We’ve never heard of this fella before.
David Clifford has left his distinguished imprint on the Sigerson Cup already, starring in their surprise victory over a fancied Queen’s University side in the Dub on Tuesday.
It’s been a busy few days for the Fossa club man. He made his bow for the Kerry seniors on Sunday against Donegal in the National League in one of the most eagerly anticipated senior debuts in the GAA’s history.
The 19-year-old was man-marked, obviously, but he did just fine in the cauldron that is senior inter-county football. He set up Kerry’s opening goal for Barry John Keane, he won a couple of frees and laid on a few assists.
He looked right at home at the very highest level.
It is often said that Sigerson Cup football is the next best thing to the inter-county game. David Clifford was born for these games.
IT Tralee went into their opener against 8 time champions Queen’s University as underdogs. They travelled all the way up to the Belfast Univerity’s fortress that is the Dub as 9/2 outsiders.
Today's team sheet for #Sigerson18 battle between @QueensGAA & @ittralee Sry but cold and very windy. pic.twitter.com/5wlgN9b8vW
— Paul McIntyre (@PaulMcIntyre14) January 30, 2018
How could a team that has David Clifford in it be unfancied?
The Kerry college got off to a flier in Queen’s back garden, and took a four point lead into the half-time interval.
1-6 to 0-5 read the scoreline in their favour after 30 minutes of play. 1-4 of that total came from star turn Clifford.
Ome man who hasn't kicked any wides yet is David Clifford. He lands his fourth of the half as we begin injury time. @ITTraleeGAAClub lead @QueensGAA 0-06 to 0-05. #Sigerson18
— Paul McIntyre (@PaulMcIntyre14) January 30, 2018
The hottest ticket in the GAA right now slotted three frees and kicked one from open play. He also fisted a game-changing goal into the net of Queen’s goalkeeper Callum Mullan Young on the stroke of the break.
Queen’s University 0-5 v IT Tralee 1-6 Tralee number 15 David Clifford jumps highest to fist a high ball into the net! 31+min #GAA #SigersonCup #PhillysUpdates
— PhillyMc (@MoysPhillyMc) January 30, 2018
He was only getting going. Tralee were only getting going. That set them on their way.
They have a number of quality players in their side, with Cork man Conor O’Driscoll showing well also.
The home side rallied in the second half, and took over the lead for the first time with five minutes left to play.
Then Tralee kicked into life, inspired by Clifford with the game in the melting pot.
O’Driscoll was played through by the Kerry star and he rattled the net with the winning goal as they edged this one by three points.
Clifford & O'Driscoll combine again and @ITTraleeGAAClub lead 2-08 to 0-11. 63mins and play continues. #SigersonCup
— Paul McIntyre (@PaulMcIntyre14) January 30, 2018
Some stuff.
@ITTraleeGAAClub have won on a score line of @ITTraleeGAAClub 2-08 @QueensGAA 0-11. UNREEEEAALLLLLLL!!! WELL DONE BOYS!!! pic.twitter.com/a8OGMdutER
— MTU Kerry Campus GAA Club (@MTUKerryGAAClub) January 30, 2018
Elsewhere, UL defeated Cork IT to book their place in a quarter final next week.
UCC edged the Garda College, but only just. After some hard work, they took the tie by two points on a scoreline of 1-12 to 2-7.
