David Clifford

David Clifford (Irish: Daithí Ó Clúmháin) (born 22 January 1999) is a Gaelic footballer who plays corner-forward or full-forward for the Kerry county team and at club level for Fossa and divisional side East Kerry. He is a two-time Senior Football All-Ireland winner, a six-time GAA/GPA All-Star and has won the GAA/GPA Footballer of the Year a record three times. He is widely regarded as the greatest player of his generation.

He has also won two All-Ireland Minor Championships with Kerry, four Kerry County Championships with his school, St. Brendan's College, Killarney.

Kerry

2018 National Football League Clifford made his senior debut on January 28 against Donegal in Round 1 of the NFL. Starting left corner forward, he scored 0-01 before being replaced by Jack Savage. He scored 0-21 across 5 starts and 1 substitute appearance, as Kerry finished fifth in Division 1.

Munster Championship Clifford won his first Munster Senior Football Championship title later that summer after over coming Clare (0–02) and then Cork (0–02) in the final.

All-Ireland Championship Kerry failed to progress from their Super 8's group stage. Clifford scoring 1–05 against Galway, 1–03 against Monaghan and 2–06 against Kildare.

Awards He ended the year with an All Star and as GAA/GPA Young Footballer of the Year.

2019 Munster Championship In 2019, Clifford again won the Munster Senior Football Championship with Kerry, scoring 0–03 in the semi-final versus Clare and scoring 0–04 in the final versus Cork.

All-Ireland Championship In the Super 8 group stage, Clifford scored 0–07 against Mayo, 0–03 against Donegal and was rested against Meath. He scored 0–05 in the semi-final against Tyrone.

Kerry went on to reach the All-Ireland senior final versus Dublin. It was Clifford’s first appearance in the senior final, having played in two minor finals. He scored 0–02 in the drawn match and 0–05 in the replay, as Dublin ran out 1–18 to 0–15 winners.

Awards He ended the year with an All Star.

2020 Clifford was selected as Kerry captain due to the Kerry Senior Football Championship being won by his East Kerry side.

National Football League Kerry won the 2020 National Football League after winning 5 of their 7 matches. This was Clifford's first national league title.

Munster Championship Clifford scored 0–04 in the shock Munster Senior Football Championship semi final loss to Cork. The 2020 championship was straight knock-out and as such was his only championship game that year.

2021 National Football League Clifford scored a hat-trick against Galway in the opening round of the 2021 National Football League. Kerry would go on to share the National League title with Dublin this year delivering Clifford his second league title.

Munster Championship Clifford won his third Munster Senior Football Championship defeating Clare (1–06), Tipperary (1–02) and Cork (0–01).

All-Ireland Championship Kerry reached the All-Ireland semi final in which they faced Tyrone. Clifford scored 0–08 on the day, however, due to injury he could not take part in extra-time. Tyrone ran out winners 3–14 to 0–22.

Awards He ended the year with an All Star.

2022 National Football League Clifford won his third National League to start the inter county season. In the final versus Mayo he scored 1–06, 1–05 from play.

Munster Championship His fourth Munster championship arrived in 2022. In the semi-final he scored 0–04 however, injury prevented Clifford from playing in the final versus Limerick.

All-Ireland Championship The All-Ireland quarter final versus Mayo saw Clifford return from injury. He scored 1–03 in the win. A semi final win over Dublin was secured on the back of his 0–06.

Clifford scored 0–08 against Galway in the 2022 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final and in the process won his first All-Ireland Senior Football Championship. He was chosen as man of the match due to his performance.

Awards He won his fourth All Star and was selected as GAA/GPA Footballer of the Year and The Sunday Game Footballer of the Year.

2023 Clifford was selected as captain for the 2023 season.

National Football League He made his season debut as a second-half substitute in Kerry's round 3 league match against Mayo. He played in 5 league games as Kerry finished 5th in the Division 1 league.

Munster Championship Clifford was named at full forward for their Munster semi-final against Tipperary. He scored 0–02 in their 0–25 to 0–05 win.

Clifford was awarded the man of the match award in their Munster final against Clare. He scored 2–06 in their 5–14 to 0–15 win. He played in the match alongside brother Paudie as a tribute to their mother, Ellen Clifford, who died the previous day.

All-Ireland Championship In Kerry's first All-Ireland round robin match versus Mayo, Clifford scored 0–08 (0-03f) in a Kerry loss. Clifford scored 1–05 (1–00p, 0-01f) in their second round win versus Cork. He scored 2-04 (1-00p) in their final round robin win versus Louth. This guaranteed Kerry top spot and direct progress to the quarter finals.

Clifford contributed 0-05 (0-03f) in the All-Ireland quarter final victory over Tyrone. Kerry winning on a score line of 2–18 to 0–12.

A man of the match performance in the All Ireland Semi Final ensured Kerry's progress. He contributed 0-09 (0-04f) in a 1–17 to 1–15 win.

In the All-Ireland Final, it was Dublin who emerged victorious on a score line of 1–15 to 1–13. Clifford scored 0-03 (0-01f) in his tussle with Mick Fitzsimmons.

Awards Clifford won his fifth All Star and was selected as GAA/GPA Footballer of the Year for a second time. He became the first player to win back to back Footballer of the Year awards. With the win he also joined at the time, Trevor Giles and Brian Fenton as the only players to win multiple awards.

2024 National Football League Kerry finished third in the National League with Clifford featuring in six games and scoring 1–25 in the process.

Munster Championship Clifford won his sixth Munster medal, scoring 0–04 in the semi-final against Cork and 0–04 against Clare in the final.

All-Ireland Championship In the All-Ireland group stage, Clifford scored 0–05 against Monaghan, 2–02 against Meath and 0–07 against Louth.

Kerry progressed through the All-Ireland Quarter-Final against Derry, with Clifford scoring 0-03. In the All-Ireland Semi-Final versus Armagh, Clifford contributed 0–04 as Kerry exited the championship to Armagh after extra time.

2025 National Football League Clifford won his fourth National League. He scored 3-22 across five Division 1 group fixtures. His 0–8 in the final against Mayo assisted Kerry in becoming the first team to win the Corn Mhichíl Uí Mhuircheartaigh, named for Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh.

Munster Championship Clifford won his seventh Munster medal, scoring 0–09 against Cork in the semi-final and 2–05 against Clare in the final.

All-Ireland Championship In Kerry's first All-Ireland group match versus Roscommon, Clifford scored 1–3 in a 3–18 to 0–17 win. In a 1–28 to 0-20 second round win versus Cork, Clifford scored 1-08. In their final group game, Clifford scored 0–05 as Kerry lost 1–22 to 0–16 to Meath.

In the preliminary quarter-final win against Cavan, Clifford scored 3–07 in a man of the match performance. After the Cavan game, Clifford issued a rallying call to the Kerry supporters. “I’d like to call for our supporters to get behind us. I’m not sure they realise the impact they can have on us in Croke Park. When we hear that Kerry crowd behind you it’s worth five and six points to you in a game.”

On their return to Croke Park Kerry knocked out reigning champions Armagh in the All-Ireland Quarter-Final. In a 15-minute spell in the second half, Kerry scored 0-14 without reply. Clifford contributed 0–07 in a 0–32 to 1–21 win. In the All-Ireland semi-final versus Tyrone Clifford scored 1–09 as Kerry progressed to the final on a 1–20 to 0–17 scoreline.

On the 27th of July, Clifford won his second All-Ireland medal with a 1–26 to 0–19 win over Donegal. He did not touch the ball for the first 9 minutes of the match, however with his first touch he scored a 2-pointer and contributed 0-07 from 6 possessions in the first half. He scored 0–09 in total with all his scores coming from play.

Remarking on the new rules implemented for the 2025 season, Clifford offered the view that "it brought a great freshness to the game; it brought people back talking about and watching the game… teams go for it. Teams have a crack off it. That is all we want to see, really, in the game… seeing the new rules and looking back, you're probably saying this is a bit more enjoyable".

He scored 8-62 (8-48 from play) over the course of 9 championship matches, finishing as the leading 2025 championship scorer in points, goals, 2-pointers, from play and in total.

Awards The Sunday Game panel awarded him his second Footballer of the Year and a place on his fifth Team of the Year.

On 7 November 2025, Clifford made history as he won a record breaking third GAA/GPA Footballer of the Year and his sixth All Star.

2026

Clifford made his seasonal debut in the 0–16 to 0-15 McGrath Cup loss to Cork.

National Football League Clifford scored 1–08 in Kerry's opening round 2–18 to 1–20 win against Roscommon. This was followed by 1–06 against Galway in their draw in Austin Stack Park. Playing in his first away league game of the season, Clifford contributed 0–04 in a win against Dublin. In a Round 5 win versus Monaghan, Clifford was introduced as a second-half substitute, scoring 1-03. In a dominant Round 6 home win against Mayo, Clifford scored 0–09 in a 2–29 to 0–19 win. Kerry secured their place in the Division 1 final thanks to a 0-24 to 1-21 draw in round 7 against Armagh, Clifford contributed 0-10. Donegal produced a clinical league final display in Croke Park, defeating Kerry 3-20 to 2-10. Caolan McColgan was tasked with man-marking duties and limited Clifford to 1-01. Clifford finished the league as Division 1 top scorer with 4-41, including 3-35 from play.

Munster Championship

In the Munster semi-final in Ennis, Kerry beat Clare on a 2-19 to 1-14 scoreline. Clifford started corner-forward and contributed 1-07 before receiving a black card in the 66th minute.

Kerry dispatched of Cork in the Munster final in Fitzgerald Stadium on a scoreline of 1-23 to 1-15. Clifford was named as captain on the day due to the absence of team captain Paul Geaney and contributed 1-06 in a man of the match display. With the win Kerry became the inaugural winners of the Corn Pháidí Uí Shé, recently named in honour of Kerry great, Páidí Ó Sé.

All-Ireland Championship

In a repeat of the 2025 All-Ireland final and 2026 league final, Kerry were drawn at home to face Donegal in Round 1 of the revamped All-Ireland Football Championship. Clifford scored 0-04 as Donegal won 2-20 to 0-16 in a dominant display. The match was overshadowed by a half-time melee and a number of smaller flashpoints during the game.

As a result of their loss to Donegal, Kerry were drawn on to the losers side of the All-Ireland draw. In Round 2B they beat Kildare in St. Conleth’s Park by 3-22 to 0-17 with Clifford scoring 1-04, all from play.

Kerry received a home draw in Round 3 as they were drawn against the 2024 All-Ireland champions Armagh.

Kerry faced Tyrone in the All-Ireland Quarter-Final in Croke Park. Kerry won 2-25 to 0-27 with Clifford ‘stamping his brilliance on the contest’, contributing 1-08, winning the final kick out and providing the assist for the game winning goal in the dying seconds.

In the All-Ireland Final, Clifford scored 1-06 with it all coming from play. Despite finishing as top scorer in the match, Mayo ended their 75 year wait for Sam Maguire winning by 1-20 to 1-17.

Clifford finished the year as top scorer in total and from play. He also overtook Colm Cooper to become the top Kerry scorer in All-Ireland Senior Football Championship history and the second highest scorer overall behind Cillian O'Connor.

Awards Following Kerry's All-Ireland Final loss to Mayo, Clifford was selected at corner-forward in The Sunday Game Team of the Year and finished as runner-up to Ryan O'Donoghue for Footballer of the Year.

Fossa

Kerry, Munster & All-Ireland Junior Wins A week after his first All-Ireland win with Kerry, Clifford scored 1–9 versus Listowel Emmets. In his second match of the 2022 club championship, he again scored 1–9 versus Castlegregory. In their third group match he scored 0–10 against Listry. Against Annascaul in the quarter-final he scored 1–6 in Fossa's victory. In their semi final win over Ardfert, he contributed 0–9 of their 0–14 total. The Junior Premier final brought Fossa and Listry together again. In Fossa's 4–15 to 0–22 win, Clifford scored 2–12.

Fossa went on to win the 2022 Munster Junior club football championship. Clifford scoring 0–04 (0-02f) versus Feohanagh-Castlemahon (Limerick) and 0–10 (0-07f) in the final versus Kilmurry (Cork).

In the All-Ireland series Clifford scored 0–07 (0-01f) in the semi-final versus Castletown from Meath.

He guided Fossa to their first All-Ireland Junior win in a man of the match performance versus Stewartstown Harps GFC. He scored 0–11 (0-03f) and was sent off in the dying moments having received a second yellow card.

Intermediate Championship 2023 Fossa were promoted to the Intermediate Championship for 2023. Clifford scored 0–07 against An Ghaeltacht, 0–07 against St Mary's, 0–05 against Glenflesk and 1–07 against Castleisland Desmonds in the quarter-final.

In the semi-final he scored 0–13 against Austin Stacks in a normal time draw. Clifford scored the opening penalty in the shootout as Fossa reached their first ever intermediate final. Milltown/Castlemaine were the opponents in the final, Clifford scored 0–12 in a 2–13 to 0–18 loss.

2024

In the group stage, Clifford scored 0–04 against Beaufort, 1–09 against Castleisland Desmonds and 1–06 against Ballydonoghue.

A second-place finish in the group led Fossa to quarter-final against Kerins O'Rahilly's, Clifford scored in 0–05 in a four-point win. A semi-final with Laune Rangers ended in a 3–11 to 1–19 loss. Cifford scored a remarkable 3–08 on the day.

2025

In their opening group match, Fossa defeated John Mitchels 2–19 to 1–11 with Clifford contributing 1-08 (0-01f). In their next group game Fossa defeated Firies 4–16 to 0–18, with Clifford scoring 0-09 (0-04tpf). With both teams already qualified for the quarter-final, the final round clash with Kilcummin was to decide who topped the group. Kilcummin won 0–22 to 0–10, Clifford scoring 0-05 (0-01f).

In their quarter-final away to Beaufort, Clifford scored 0–04 as Fossa won 2–11 to 0–15. The semi-final brought Fossa and Kilcummin back together. Fossa reversed the result from the group stage, winning 3–14 to 0–20 with Clifford scoring 1-05.

Fossa lost their second intermediate final in three years as An Ghaeltacht triumphed on a 0–19 to 1–11 scoreline. Clifford contributed 0–07 in the losing effort.

East Kerry

Clifford plays with East Kerry in the Kerry Senior Football Championship.

At underage level he won two Kerry Minor Football Championship titles in 2016 and 2017. He won a Kerry Under-21 Football Championship title in 2018.

He is four time county champion, winning in 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023.

2019 In 2019 he scored 1–06 in the quarter-final, 0–09 in the semi-final and 1–03 in the final.

2020 In 2020 he scored 1–05 in the quarter-final and 1–04 in the final.

2021 In 2021, a straight knock out championship was in place. Clifford scored 0–02 as East Kerry lost to eventual champions Austin Stacks.

2022 Clifford made his 2022 debut as a substitute in the win against Spa. He scored 0–3 after being introduced in the 40th minute. He scored 0–07 in the quarter final versus Kenmare Shamrocks. He won his third Kerry Senior Football Championship beating Mid Kerry in the final, scoring 1–09 in the process.

2023 In 2023, Clifford made his debut in a ten-minute cameo against Templenoe. He started the quarter final against St. Kierans and scored 1–05 in a 4–19 to 0–12 win. His 1-03 helped ensure progression to the Kerry senior final at the expense of Rathmore on a score line of 1–16 to 1–10. East Kerry defeated Mid Kerry 2–10 to 0–15 in the final with Clifford contributing 0-03.

2024 East Kerry began their 2024 campaign against Rathmore, Clifford scored 1–07 in 4–16 to 2–12 win. In Round 2, Milltown/Castlemaine were defeated 0–16 to 0–06 with Clifford contributing 0-04. In the Quarter-Final against St Kieran's, Clifford scored 0–06 in a 1–14 to 1–12 win. East Kerry's title defence ended at the Semi-Final stage, in an extra-time loss Clifford scored 1–02 as Kerry fell to Dingle on a 2–16 to 1–14 scoreline.

2025 In the preliminary stage, Clifford scored 1–05 in a 2–18 to 1–10 win against St Kieran's. Clifford contributed 0–05 as East Kerry won their 2025 first round clash against Templenoe 3–23 to 1–10. East Kerry were knocked out at the quarter-final stage by Rathmore in a sensational 1–20 to 0–09 loss. Clifford scored 0–05 as Rathmore scored 14 unanswered points in the second half.

Underage career

Schools Clifford first came to prominence when he scored 2–05 in the Hogan Cup final 2016 as St Brendan's College, Killarney saw off St Patrick's College, Maghera to deliver their first title in 24 years.

He was captain of the 2017 winning teams scoring 6–27 in six games, including 4–04 in the All-Ireland final win over Derry.

Soccer In addition to Gaelic football, Clifford also played underage soccer, as a centre-half. The future professional English Football League players Shane McLoughlin and Dara O'Shea alongside future musician Ryan Meaney were his opponents at under-age level.

Player Profile Transition from underage to senior Clifford was marked out as an underage star during his Kerry minor career and according to the Irish Times was ‘widely expected to be a mainstay in the senior county team for years to come’.

Comparisons Clifford's skill set has been compared to a range of Kerry greats. Irish Independent journalist Frank Roche noted his similarities to three players from the great Kerry team of the 1970s and 80's, Eoin Liston’s aerial ability, the athleticism and pace of Pat Spillane and the goal threat of John Egan. From the 1990s on, the vision of Maurice Fitzgerald, two footed ability of Mike Frank Russell and the left foot, balance and evasion of Colm Cooper.

Conor McKeon of the Irish Independent has compared Clifford to Lionel Messi and in particular their shared disposition in the initial stages of matches to walking around the pitch as they observe defensive structures and patterns. This was particularly evident in the 2025 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final as Clifford did not touch the ball in the first 9 minutes of the match before scoring 0-09.

Movement Former GAA/GPA Footballer of the Year James O'Donoghue described Clifford as playing from a low, hunched position, combining footwork, pace, balance and strength to evade defenders or hold them at arm’s length.

Broadcaster and former Kerry captain Dara Ó Cinnéide remarked that he saw ‘this kind of quick-step that Clifford has, and…just went, ‘Holy f**k! What is he doing there?…that’s where I am with Clifford. I want to be at these games where I’m just saying, ‘What’s he going to do today?’ And that's the privilege. And that's the thrill.’ Sports scientist and former London GAA football manager Ciarán Deely compared how Clifford adapts his kicking technique depending on distance, ‘ for closer shots, he tends to get his head and chest in over the ball to ensure optimal accuracy…(for longer shots) his right toe is barely touching the ground, his body is completely upright, even his head tilted back, and his left foot is a good six inches above his hairline. This is not the typical kicking technique!’

2024 All Star corner back Barry McCambridge remarked that ‘when David Clifford gets a score I find it almost counts as double because their fans get such a buzz out of it, so do their players.’ McCambridge also referenced Clifford's use of the backdoor cut and his goal threat, ‘he’s so good on the backdoor cut and scoring goals so you don’t want to get caught. But if you step off slightly to block out that backdoor cut that’s when he starts going into the space in front and scoring, and there’s one-point and two-point options there. It’s about weighing that up.’

Legacy Declan Bogue of The 42 remarked that ‘we are living in the Clifford age’.

Personal life Clifford and his girlfriend Shauna O'Connor have one son named Óigí, born in September 2021. His brother Paudie Clifford is also a member of the Kerry team and a fellow All-Ireland winner.

He studied in Institute of Technology, Tralee and graduated with a degree in health and leisure. In August 2022, he graduated with a Masters in PE teaching at the University of Limerick. Clifford is a teacher in his alma mater St Brendan's College, Killarney.

In November 2025, Clifford became the first Gaelic games player to release his own brand of clothing and apparel. In collaboration with McKeever Sports, Clifford released an apparel range complete with a logo featuring the ‘iconic Clifford kicking image with his left leg cocked up in the air beside his left ear’.

Career statistics

Legend Won Competition Bold Career high

Inter-county

All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Scoring TotalScores (Total)Scores (Play)GamesAverage29–272 (359pts)25-177 (252 pts) 536.8

Club

Fossa GAA Year Championship Apps Score 2017 Junior Premier 2 2-04 2018 Junior Premier 2 3-02 2019 Junior Premier 3 2–11 2020 Junior Premier 3 1-09 2020 O'Donoghue Cup 1 0-05 2021 Junior Premier 4 3–15 2022 Junior Premier 6 5–55 2022 Munster Junior 2 0–14 2023 All-Ireland Junior 2 0–18 2023 Intermediate 6 1-51 2024 Intermediate 5 5-32 2025 Intermediate 6 2-38 Career Total 42 24-254

Division

College Sigerson Cup Year College Appearances Score 2018 IT Tralee 1 1–04 2019 IT Tralee 0 0–00 2020 IT Tralee 1 0–05 2021 University of Limerick 0 0–00 2022 University of Limerick 6 6–21 Career Total 8 7-30

Championship appearances

All-Ireland Final Statistics All-Ireland Final scores List of appearances# Date Venue Opponent Score Play W/L Result 1 1 September 2019 Croke Park Dublin 0–02 0–02 D 1–16 : 1–162 14 September 2019 Croke Park Dublin 0–05 0–04 L 0–15 : 1–183 24 July 2022 Croke Park Galway 0–08 0–03 W 0–20 : 0–164 30 July 2023 Croke Park Dublin 0–03 0–01 L 1–13 : 1–155 27 July 2025 Croke Park Donegal 0–09 0–09 W 1–26 : 0–196 26 July 2026 Croke Park Mayo 1–06 1–06 L 1–17 : 1–20

Honours Kerry All-Ireland Senior Football Championship (2): 2022, 2025 Munster Senior Football Championship (8): 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023 (c), 2024, 2025, 2026 National Football League (4): 2020 (c), 2021 (jc), 2022, 2025 All-Ireland Minor Football Championship (2): 2016, 2017 (c) Munster Minor Football Championship (2): 2016, 2017 (c) McGrath Cup (1): 2022

Fossa All-Ireland Junior Club Football Championship (1): 2023 Munster Junior Club Football Championship (1): 2022 Kerry Premier Junior Football Championship (1): 2022

East Kerry Kerry Senior Football Championship (4): 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023 Kerry Under-21 Football Championship (1): 2018 Kerry Minor Football Championship (2): 2016, 2017

St Brendan's College Hogan Cup (1): 2016 Corn Uí Mhuirí (1): 2016

Individual GAA/GPA Footballer of the Year (3): 2022, 2023, 2025 GAA/GPA Young Footballer of the Year (1): 2018 All Star (6): 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025 GAA Minor Star Footballer of the Year (1): 2017 Minor All-Star Award (1): 2017 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final Man of the Match (1): 2022 The Sunday Game Team of the Year (6): 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026 The Sunday Game Footballer of the Year (2): 2022, 2025 Higher Education Rising Star Footballer of the Year (1): 2022 Sigerson Cup Team of the Year (1): 2022

Gallery From left to right: Templenoe's Tom Spillane, Fossa chairman Dermot Clifford, former GAA president Seán Kelly, David Clifford and Fossa secretary Merry Talbot, in 2017.

David Clifford (left) with former Uachtarán Cumann Lúthchleas Gael Seán Kelly in 2017.