David Clifford’s greatest feat is fulfilling the expectation that has always followed him

The Kerry star's moments of intuitive brilliance continue to dominate the highlights reels 

MASTER MARKSMAN: Kerry's David Clifford. ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

LIFE lessons. The biggest disappointment of David Clifford’s career was last year’s All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Tyrone. Clifford had given a masterclass during normal time but injury ruled him out of extra time. The helplessness of not being able to affect the game cut deep but Clifford had little or no time to dwell on the disappointment. His son, Ógie, was born to him and his partner Shauna O’Connor the following day.

"Becoming a father was a welcome distraction,” Clifford said on ‘Off the Ball’ in May. “It helped me to take my mind off football a small bit. It wasn’t hard to focus at all and if anything, the arrival of Ógie made me more focused because I was playing for someone else and not just myself. Being a father has given me a new perspective on things. There is lots of fun attached to fatherhood. I am loving it."