David Clifford learning from All-Ireland regrets

It was David Clifford’s first public test as Kerry captain on Monday.

Leaning back in his chair around the circular table, he wasn’t overstretched in batting away journalists’ questions on the sort of gentle topics that arise during a GAA pre-season: The winter set-pieces of fixtures and new rules, the battery-recharge of a team holiday, and that ever-looming shadow of the Dublin machine.