“You couldn’t ask for better team-mates.”
Sean O’Shea gives an emotional interview after accepting the Man of the match award on behalf of David Clifford in the Munster final.
Kerry defeated Clare with relative ease, scoring five goals in the process and winning the Munster championship for the third year in a row.
However, the victory was tinged in sadness, as the mother of both David and Paudie passed away the day before the game, with many doubting that the two brothers would be involved.
However, they both started, and played starring roles, and even combined in a fantastic goal that saw Paudie find his sibling with a wonderful pass, who then put it in the back of the net.
David got a second goal, before Paudie managed to get one of his own, so between them they contributed to three of the goals scored today.
David was awarded Man of the Match as he kicked an incredible 2-6, but naturally he didn’t want to speak to any media at this time, so O’Shea accepted it on his behalf.
Seán O'Shea accepts the man-of-the-match award on behalf of David Clifford and says the Kerry squad will "really row in" behind the bereaved brothers now, following their Munster SFC final win over Clare #GAA pic.twitter.com/P5uqkFK3dM
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 7, 2023
Speaking to RTÉ after the game, Sean O’Shea paid tribute to his Kerry team-mates after accepting the award on David’s behalf.
“It puts sport into perspective,” O’Shea said. “There are more important things in life than football. It was an incredibly tough day for the two boys. We are thinking of them today and their extended family. You couldn’t ask for better team-mates.”
As David was the captain, he never made a victory speech, but did accept the award, before embracing his manager Jack O’Connor.
🏆🟢🟡
David Clifford lifts the trophy as Kerry make it a Munster SFC three in a row.
Report https://t.co/dEFFfPnPN3 #GAA pic.twitter.com/G211ZWbGvW— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 7, 2023
The Kerry manager said that after speaking to David and Paudie’s father, Dermot, the decision was made for the duo to play.
“It was a family decision, and the best way to honour their mother,” O’Connor said.
“They are a great family and a football-mad family. I think there was a bit of solace in them meeting the group.
“My own mother passed away 20 years ago and I still miss my mother. The boys will miss their mother.”
Related links:
- Clifford brothers combine to score the most poignant goal you will ever see
- Ellen Clifford, mother of David and Paudie, passes away
- David Clifford explains why he never bothered with social media
