Paudie Clifford the engine in sleek Fossa machine

A score, an assist, a turnover or a tackle. They all hold the same worth in his mind. The value for his team? Priceless

THE CONDUCTOR: Paudie Clifford shields possession for Fossa during a Kerry JFC Group 4 tie against Listowel Emmets at Na Gaeil GAA Grounds in Killeen, Tralee. Pic: Domnick Walsh 

In a bid to stoke the embers before Kerry’s dominant run of four All-Ireland junior titles in a row, then manager Stephen Wallace and current chairman Patrick O’Sullivan forged a plan. The team would be crammed with U23 players, at the time lurking in the shadows away from the senior side’s spotlight.

An audition as well as an occasion. Brosna clubman Jimmy Keane took the job in 2017. It was while touring and taking in the Kingdom’s diverse club competitions that he landed in Fossa and saw sparks of genius.