Mike Quirke: David Clifford not the only rising star in Kerry

There were plenty of signs around Killarney that this would be no average opening round National Football League game at the start of January, writes Mike Quirke.

Once the stable doors were opened last Friday night and the Kerry public first heard the team of young colts that would be running wild and free in Fitzgerald Stadium on Sunday, an unusual and unseasonal excitement began to spread.

Fast forward to yesterday and the Munster final-esque type traffic jams had supporters stuck sitting bumper to bumper in long delays hoping to get into the ground before throw-in. You just knew this was different.