Maurice Brosnan on Kerry v Dublin: David Clifford with a cause is a fearsome prospect

Making the case for Kerry and Dublin in Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final.

KEY MATCHUP: David Clifford of Kerry and David Byrne of Dublin. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

KERRY 

The case for:

The way this entire unit responded to the new rules has been extraordinary. It is not simply the fact that they were unable to let some sensational shooters off the leash; it is everything that comes with that.

Kerry’s kickout is an incredible weapon. All-Star Shane Ryan suffered a significant injury and yet they still thrive regardless. Paudie Clifford is starting to get back to his best. 

Do not forget that the Fossa man did not start the 2025 quarter-final. Two weeks ago, he scored five points against Tyrone.

Then there is David Clifford. Not only is the three-time Footballer of the Year in sensational form, he also has added motivation. It is the first time Kerry have played Dublin since the 2023 All-Ireland final. This genius with a point to prove is a fearsome prospect.

The case against:

“There is a comparison with how Lionel Messi dragged a fairly average Argentina team to win the 2022 World Cup to what Clifford has been doing with Kerry this season.” 

Now look, we know players don’t typically pay much heed to media. But Kerry showed they did note Darragh Ó Sé’s column last year. Before the final, they may have noticed the assessment of another Irish Times columnist as well. Especially since the same columnist is now coaching Dublin.

Dean Rock wrote that line before the 2025 All-Ireland final. It is true that the Kingdom have not won a major game when the Cliffords have failed to dominate, but that says as much about their exceptional ability as it does about the rest of the squad. The last semi-final this group lost was in 2024, when they were both well held.

Can’t do without:

The obvious answer is David Clifford. The hipster choice is his brother, but both have been well covered at this stage. Outside of that, who is vital to their chances in this tie?

Step forward, Jason Foley. Con O'Callaghan missed the 2022 semi-final and was below his best in the 2023 final. He has his own added incentive on Sunday. 

While Foley is the obvious candidate to pick up Dublin's best forward, he has to be better than he was in the quarter-final. Mattie Donnelly and Darren McCurry both caused him serious problems at different stages.

Tom O'Sullivan also has a history of marking the Cuala star and could be viewed as the alternative if required.

DUBLIN 

The case for:

Some of the talk around this group and its overall quality looks quite silly now. Dublin have always had outstanding individuals. Their performances during the league and Leinster championship were a reflection of issues that ran far deeper than simply not having the players.

Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne and Brian Howard are as good a midfield partnership as we will see in Croke Park this weekend. Every member of their starting forward line is a scoring threat. 

The manner in which they dug deep against Donegal and Galway was hugely impressive. 

Ger Brennan has been keen to point out that the pressure is on their opponents. At the same time, his dressing room will have a genuine belief that they can pull off another upset on their home ground. There is power in that.

The case against:

Yes, their best 20 are as good as any in the country. But what is the drop-off when they are stretched? Seán MacMahon was taken off against Galway with an injury. Eoin Murchan and Sean Bugler did not play. Killian McGinnis is out for the season with a torn ACL.

Do they have the bench? Ross McGarry, Josh Bannon, Tim Derring and Liam Smith all came on in the quarter-final. Kerry know the impact they have in reserve.

Both teams opt to defend deep, which does open the door to two-pointers. 

Kerry have conceded an average of three from play across their last four games. They have so many long-range shooters that Dublin's defence will have to evolve for this tie too.

Can’t do without:

Niall Scully, a Footballer of the Year nominee on current form.

He is Dublin’s version of Paudie Clifford. The centre-forward who makes them tick. On top of that, he can score as well. He kicked four points from four shots (two two-pointers) against Galway.

A five-time All-Ireland winner, Scully has one All-Star before this year. The 32-year-old will require close attention. Brian Ó Beaglaoich is perfect for the task, but he was unable to start their last game due to injury.

Scully is driving Dublin in the right direction, on and off the field.

“Look, the biggest thing for me and the biggest thing for a lot of the older lads, we wouldn’t be here if we didn’t see All-Ireland potential in this group,” he said in his last post-match interview. “That is why we are here. That is why we are giving it everything we can.”