Legends pay fond tribute to inspirational ‘Silver Fox’ Clifford

JOHNNY Clifford’s legacy to Cork hurling may very well be divided between his starring role in the 1954 All-Ireland final victory over Wexford and his inspired management of the team which surprised Galway in the final of 1986.

But at a more general level, the man who was known to his friends as ‘the Silver Fox’ was widely respected for his shrewdness and particularly his understanding of the game.

“There’s no doubt about that, he was very knowledgeable. He’d cover things you’d never even think about,’’ said Glen Rovers stalwart Liam Ó Tuama. “Johnny was a man who was always cool, he never showed pressure of any kind.’’