Watch and read: David Clifford hits 0-16 as Fossa edge Kerry IFC semi-final classic against Beaufort

David and Paudie Clifford scored 0-21 as Fossa reached the Kerry IFC final

Kerry IFC semi-final: Fossa 2-25 Beaufort 2-24 

If you were looking for drama and football from another stratosphere, then Dr Crokes Park was the place to be as David Clifford gave an exhibition of point kicking that was from the gods. He kicked the winning point to break Beaufort’s hearts for the second year running in this gripping IFC semi-final. The Clifford brothers contributed 0-21 between them with David hitting 0-16 as Beaufort were too profligate in extra-time. David scored five points in extra-time as Fossa reach their second final in successive years.

It looked all over for Fossa as they trailed by nine points five minutes into the second half. Beaufort were dreaming of a county final meeting with Kilcummin.

But enter the Clifford brothers and the momentum changed. Suddenly, Beaufort appeared to lose their composure. They switched Mike Breen on to David Clifford to limit his impact but it backfired badly.

He landed a monstrous two-pointer. Then, Paudie Clifford added a point, before a long delivery from Paudie fell invitingly for Matt Rennie to find the Beaufort net. Beaufort replied with a goal from Fergal Hallissey, and it was a six point advantage to Beaufort once more.

A quick 45 from Paudie Clifford to Emmet O’Shea saw Clifford nail a two-pointer. Then Paudie Clifford sent a long ball to O’Shea who beat Sean Coffey for a clinical finish. It was a two-point game.

In the 47th minute, David Clifford landed a two-pointer to level the contest and for dissent on the Beaufort bench, David kicked a two to give Fossa a two-point lead. O’Shea with a free and a Darran Ryan point appeared to have given Fossa the edge but a Kennedy two and a one from the same player forced extra-time.

Beaufort's Ciaran O'Sullivan tussles with Fossa's Ted O'Gorman during the Kerry IFC semi-final Pic: Tatyana McGough

Beaufort gave an early indication that they meant business when Fergal Hallissey forced Paddy Sheehan to effect a goal saving block that resulted in a 45 that Hallissey failed to convert. But David Clifford responded with a beauty despite the best efforts of Ethan Coffey. Clifford added another and it soon became apparent that this game would be decided on Beaufort’s ability to outscore the Clifford brothers.

A Paudie Clifford breach, led to a Fergal Hallissey point but Ted O’Gorman raced in from the right flank, to punch over a third Fossa point.

But Beaufort began to grow into the game with Mike Breen showing his class at centre back and when Ciaran Kennedy opened up the Fossa defence in the 13th minute he crossed for corner back Josh Coffey to shoot low past O’Sullivan. Mike Breen then landed a two-pointer to push Beaufort 1-3 to 0-3 clear at the end of the opening quarter.

But the Clifford brothers hit back with Paudie beating Josh Coffey and kicking a fine point while David made it 4/4 for the Clifford brothers.

Then Beaufort fired over 0-5 without reply, firstly from a Darragh O’Connor volley that could have been a goal and two points from Ciaran Kennedy and Liam Carey while Fergal Hallissey and Niall O’Connor made it 1-0 to 0-5 and things looked grim for Fossa. But David Clifford calmed Fossa nerves with a two-pointer as Beaufort led 1-10 to 0-7 at half time.

Two Niall O’Connor points and another from Darragh O’Connor pushed Beaufort nine clear by the 35th minute and Beaufort supporters were planning for a county final but the Clifford brothers had other ideas.

Scorers for Fossa: D Clifford (0-16, 4tps, 1tpf, 1f), P Clifford (0-5, 1tp, 1’45), M Rennie (1-1), E O’Shea (1-1, f), T O’Gorman, and D Ryan (0-1 each) 

Scorers for Beaufort: F Hallissey (1-7, 1tp, 3fs, 1’45, 1 M), D O’Connor (0-5, 1f), C Kennedy (0-5, tp), J Coffey (1-0), N O’Connor (0-3), M Breen and L Carey (0-2 each, tpp), 

FOSSA: S O’Sullivan; S Buckley, P Sheehan, B Myers; D O’Connell, E Talbot, J Hallissey; M Rennie , C O’Shea; T O’Gorman, P Clifford, D Ryan; H Buckley, D Clifford, E O’Shea 

Subs: F Coffey for C O’Shea ( 36), H Kelly for H Buckley( 43), R Colleran for J Hallissey ( 45), F Doyle for T O’Gorman ( 76), C O’Shea for E Talbot ( 77), D O’Keeffe for F Coffey ( 78), D O’Connell B/C 72-end) 

BEAUFORT: S Coffey; J Coffey, E Coffey, C O’Sullivan; J O’Sullivan, M Breen, E O hAgáin; F Kennedy, M Neary; D O’Connor, J O’Connor, L Carey; C Kennedy, F Hallissey, N O’Connor.

Subs: R Murphy for E O hAgáin (45), K Coffey for N O’Connor (53), D Healy for C O’Sullivan (58), S Kelliher for F Kennedy (e/t), D Coffey for J O’Connor (h/t e/t), G Sears for J O’Sullivan 

 Referee: E Moriarty (Dingle).