The artful dodger.
Jamie Clarke was at his brilliant best as Armagh defeated Kildare in Croke Park on Sunday.
Clarke is mercurial, Clarke is elusive, Clarke is ghostly, he is one of the most naturally gifted players in the game.
The classy Crossmaglen sharpshooter terrorised the Kildare defence on Saturday with his disguised movements, with his dropping of the shoulder, with his kicking of points that defied physics as well as logic.
There’s something different about Jamie Clarke.
He has a different personality to most GAA players, he has a swagger about him, he has the X factor that so many crave.
The number thirteen isn’t your typical modern day footballer. He claimed before that he’s not massively into his gym work. He spent time travelling and missed some of his county’s games in the last few years.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUplTcShWAf/?taken-by=jamie_clarke13
Four points from play, nineteen posessions, countless frees won.
He does his own thing and his own thing was the difference between Kildare and Armagh on Sunday.
Armagh eventually triumphed by three points on a scoreline of 1-17 to 0-17 after a titanic back and forth battle in GAA HQ, but it was the deft Clarke who tipped the scales.
WATCH:
FT: Armagh 1-17 | Kildare 0-17.
Sensational display from the @eir MOTM Jamie Clarke as he guides Armagh into the SFC QF. #GAAClips pic.twitter.com/1Q52uOzSOP— eir Sport (@eirSport) July 29, 2017
Clarke set up scores for his team-mates, he buzzed around the park like a wild man, he showed for his teammates, he won frees, he kicked three of the finest points you’re likely to see, and he gave all present at Croke Park one of the finest individual exhibitions they’re likely to see.
The whole of Twitter were waxing lyrical.
I'm both out of breath and dizzy watching Jamie Clarke from behind the goals. Like a bloody fox
— Conán Doherty (@ConanDoherty) July 29, 2017
Former Dublin star Tomás Quinn was impressed.
Nearly take his quality scores for granted but Jamie Clarke giving exhibition of corner forward movement. Making 3/4 runs each time. Class
— Tomás Quinn (@mossyquinn) July 29, 2017
Buff Egan was drinking it in maaaan.
https://twitter.com/buff_egan/status/891383553958842368
Clare hurler Brendan Bugler obviously follows him on Instagram.
Jamie Clarke will enjoy his coffee ☕️ in the morning #talent
— Brendan Bugler (@brendanbugler) July 29, 2017
Dead right.
Probably the lightest player on the pitch but easily the best – Jamie Clarke proving that raw talent & brains beats brawn. #KILvARM #GAA
— Brian Cronin (@Barnflake) July 29, 2017
