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David Clifford GOAT

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Replying To Scenicparish: "Totally agree, David has to perform on the big days, to be considered amount the greats. In semifinals and finals he has struggled in Croke Park. He has plenty of time yet and I think the new rules certainly suits David and all the other quality forwards." Yeah I remember him struggling in the semi finals and final 2022 when he was absolutely unreal in the semi v Dublin and final v Galway. He won the All Ireland for Kerry. Far from a struggle. He had an off day in the final when Fitzsimons was marking him but the over reaction to that was hilarious. He didn't have the shooting boots on but to say he was beat by his marker was wrong. He was winning the ball in front almost every time. He is operating in Kerry team that has nowhere near the forward threat of previous teams. It's all on him. The greats have off days. Even Murphy who i love was anonymous in the 2014 final. TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8273 - 27/02/2025 13:23:39 2593499 Link
Replying To TheFlaker: "Yeah I remember him struggling in the semi finals and final 2022 when he was absolutely unreal in the semi v Dublin and final v Galway. He won the All Ireland for Kerry. Far from a struggle. He had an off day in the final when Fitzsimons was marking him but the over reaction to that was hilarious. He didn't have the shooting boots on but to say he was beat by his marker was wrong. He was winning the ball in front almost every time. He is operating in Kerry team that has nowhere near the forward threat of previous teams. It's all on him. The greats have off days. Even Murphy who i love was anonymous in the 2014 final." Some of the treatment Murphy got in 2014 was below the belt. literally! If that happened to the Cifford or the Pooch would never hear the end of. LimerickForLiam24 (Limerick) - Posts: 157 - 27/02/2025 14:17:59 2593503 Link
Replying To oneoff: "While Matt Connor was not doubt a great player it's a very different thing. A 21 year old in the early 80s was a very different thing to a 21 year old today. Besides in reality there's no "greatest very player" in any spot as it changes over the years. You can probably pick greatest players from different eras. The greats of the 30s/40s/50s etc can't be compared to players from even the 70s or 80s let alone players from today." You are entirely correct to say that comparisons are impossible between players of different generations. However I've been going to Croke park since I was a child in 1970. I've been at every single All Ireland football final since 1972 with the exception of the Covid final. I've been to an awful lot of All Ireland semi finals and Leinster finals as well. Matt Connor was as good if not better than any forward I have ever seen. A 21 year old Matt Conno with today's levels of conditioning would be a nightmare for the footballers of today. Greengrass (Louth) - Posts: 6170 - 27/02/2025 14:53:46 2593505 Link
A superb forward. The debates are a little silly. He's either the greatest of all time to some or a terrible fraud to others! I'm a big fan to be fair, but the praise can go a little over the top at times. Very similar to when the Gooch was playing. Every handless is greeted by exclamations of genius by some nearly! He's still one of the most exciting players I've ever seen playing the game though, a genuine buzz goes through the crowd when he gets on the ball. MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13790 - 27/02/2025 15:12:15 2593508 Link
He's failed in Croke against the biggest oppositions on the biggest days more often then he's shone in my opinion, once he's rectified that we can't have a conversation on this era, never mind GOT. It's fine knocking the stuffing out of Tyrone in Feb or Tipperary in Munster, his record in the biggest games isn't great for the comparisons being made on here. He's also been hugely assisted by the advanced mark. TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4493 - 27/02/2025 15:50:51 2593516 Link
Replying To TheUsername: "He's failed in Croke against the biggest oppositions on the biggest days more often then he's shone in my opinion, once he's rectified that we can't have a conversation on this era, never mind GOT. It's fine knocking the stuffing out of Tyrone in Feb or Tipperary in Munster, his record in the biggest games isn't great for the comparisons being made on here. He's also been hugely assisted by the advanced mark." The advanced mark is part of the game and he's excellent at it. Greengrass (Louth) - Posts: 6170 - 27/02/2025 17:00:28 2593538 Link
First time poster here.I have been watching football for well over 50 years and I have not seen a better footballer than young David Clifford. For contributors that say young Clifford has nt produced it in big matches they either have nt watched or are talking balderdash. Young Clifford was superb in semi finals v Dublin Derry and Tyrone and was brilliant in 2019 v Dublin and outstanding v Galway in 2022 finals.I attended 2023 final in my blue colours to see Clifford and Con and watch my beloved Dubs win. We won and Clifford was quieter than usual and the press hounded him. What I saw was Clifford beating Mick Fitz to every single ball and scoring a few great points while producing a super pass for the Kerry goal .It should be noted while Clifford was criticised Con o Callaghan was scoreless. For those that say its only Dubs refusing to give young Clifford praise,well Im as blue as you get although Im living in Wicklow for many years. I also saw a few other Dublin contributors praise young Clifford and rightly so.Sportsmanship is important. I was lucky to have seen Matt Connor too who also had quiet finals by the way.He was brilliant too but it should be noted that back then forwards did nt have to deal with two or three markers and mass defenses. Some of the old forwards might struggle in todays game but can you imagine Clifford Con and Shane Walsh playing back then when only one player marked them. I also had the privilege of meeting David in Killarney two years ago while on a break to the Kingdom and I can honestly say you could nt meet a finer down to earth person. While we have a big rivalry with Kerry and admire them and I Think they do with us too. Most of us dubs are just thrilled we got to see possibly the greatest team of all time doing 6 in a row and we saw some great players in that era of our own form James Mccarthy to Fenton but that young Clifford is the finest I have seen. brayballer (Wicklow) - Posts: 12 - 27/02/2025 18:07:01 2593548 Link
Replying To MesAmis: "A superb forward. The debates are a little silly. He's either the greatest of all time to some or a terrible fraud to others! I'm a big fan to be fair, but the praise can go a little over the top at times. Very similar to when the Gooch was playing. Every handless is greeted by exclamations of genius by some nearly! He's still one of the most exciting players I've ever seen playing the game though, a genuine buzz goes through the crowd when he gets on the ball." The debate is completely silly. He's a great forward. Exciting to watch when on form. Why compare him to other exciting forwards at all? Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 14974 - 27/02/2025 19:28:21 2593567 Link
Replying To MesAmis: "A superb forward. The debates are a little silly. He's either the greatest of all time to some or a terrible fraud to others! I'm a big fan to be fair, but the praise can go a little over the top at times. Very similar to when the Gooch was playing. Every handless is greeted by exclamations of genius by some nearly! He's still one of the most exciting players I've ever seen playing the game though, a genuine buzz goes through the crowd when he gets on the ball." Bit like the Dubs and Connelly so. oneoff (UK) - Posts: 1513 - 27/02/2025 21:51:40 2593594 Link
Replying To TheUsername: "He's failed in Croke against the biggest oppositions on the biggest days more often then he's shone in my opinion, once he's rectified that we can't have a conversation on this era, never mind GOT. It's fine knocking the stuffing out of Tyrone in Feb or Tipperary in Munster, his record in the biggest games isn't great for the comparisons being made on here. He's also been hugely assisted by the advanced mark." "He's also been hugely assisted by the advanced mark" The same way the kicking tee assisted Cluxton? oneoff (UK) - Posts: 1513 - 27/02/2025 21:53:12 2593595 Link
David Clifford is an exceptional footballer and was the best minor iv ever seen and will go down as one of the greats but I do feel anything he does gets blown way above the norm by media and pundits. He is great for Gaelic football as he puts bums on seats and eyes on the game and makes kids wanna play the game so it's brilliant, and he can get better which is exciting and the new rules should suit him tbh I think con has been better over their carrier and that's just my opinion, Clifford will be in the goat conversation when he retires but the lads 26 and has been being called the goat since he was 20 it's a bit ridiculous tbh, he hasn't recreated the dominance of his minor form in senior (as hard as that would be to do) but one all Ireland from that Kerry 5 minors in a row is poor so far, so no David Clifford isn't the goat at the moment, which shouldn't be controversial to say Liftball (Armagh) - Posts: 31 - 27/02/2025 22:03:47 2593596 Link
Replying To CorkLiamMcCarthy24: "David Clifford showing his class again Tyrone last Sunday. Has there ever been a better forward? Has everything in his locker." Give over He's far from the best ever eddieSize5Balls (Donegal) - Posts: 95 - 27/02/2025 23:45:17 2593610 Link
Replying To eddieSize5Balls: "Give over He's far from the best ever" Not even the best Kerry forward in my opinion, Hed still wouldn't be looking in the faces of Gooch or Maurice Fitz, he doesn't have their hybrid skill set and move positions around the pitch to influence a game, which is why he struggles against the best teams. The two lads never had to rely on the advanced mark either just their wits and skill. Hes in the conversation as a great forward of this era, with Michael Murphy and Con - Murphy i think prob shades it on forwards, but Cons is prob one of the most holistic GAA player ever, given what hes done from club up in both codes and underage. TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4493 - 28/02/2025 10:57:21 2593652 Link
Replying To TheUsername: "Not even the best Kerry forward in my opinion, Hed still wouldn't be looking in the faces of Gooch or Maurice Fitz, he doesn't have their hybrid skill set and move positions around the pitch to influence a game, which is why he struggles against the best teams. The two lads never had to rely on the advanced mark either just their wits and skill. Hes in the conversation as a great forward of this era, with Michael Murphy and Con - Murphy i think prob shades it on forwards, but Cons is prob one of the most holistic GAA player ever, given what hes done from club up in both codes and underage." Strong Roy Curtis vibes from your posts about Dublin. Holistic? So now Clifford struggles against the best teams? Jesus this is pathetic stuff. If you go through the games the other players you mentioned played in you will find off days. Con included. Even big games against Mayo he had off days. Con has always had a big supporting cast so teams couldn't focus on him specifically. Clifford is very much the main threat every team is focusing almost all of their attention on. TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8273 - 28/02/2025 11:19:11 2593659 Link
Replying To TheFlaker: "Strong Roy Curtis vibes from your posts about Dublin. Holistic? So now Clifford struggles against the best teams? Jesus this is pathetic stuff. If you go through the games the other players you mentioned played in you will find off days. Con included. Even big games against Mayo he had off days. Con has always had a big supporting cast so teams couldn't focus on him specifically. Clifford is very much the main threat every team is focusing almost all of their attention on." The debate is on is Clifford the best player of all time - which i agree is a bit of pathetic statement and the reasoning is sound, he hasn't been outstanding cand influences wanes from quarter finals onwards as a trend. The greatest have and do it in clutch moments when the pressure is on, as a Mayo man you will be well aware of the difference (or maybe not). Difference here is im not arguing Con or MM are the greatest of all time - so perhaps read the post- i just said David is in the conversation with them as a great of this era and i think he is. I Just to correct you again with your clunky post, I also didnt say Con was the greatest footballer of all time, hes not, i said hes one of the most holistic GAA players of all time from club up - and its an unknowledgeable mean spirited Gael who would say otherwise - yet here you are, Its very unfair to say his exploits at club in both codes - which are tellingly significant are done with a strong supporting cast, they are incredible achievement unlikely to be matched for a long time by anyone n the game. Con doesn't need me to argue his case. TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4493 - 28/02/2025 11:49:30 2593669 Link
I'd like him playing for Dublin, that's for sure.. 100% But if he was and we Dubs called him "the greatest ever player" ad nauseam... eveytime he kicked a few good scores, we'd be rightly ridiculed and shouted at from a high that.. "He's not as good as the Gooch, Murphy, Forde, Canavan..etc etc" My own personal shout out to the best forward player I've seen in the last 25 years, I'd go with Mattie Forde.. an outstanding natural ability, and an absolute pleasure to watch. David Clifford is no doubt right up there with the likes of the forward players mentioned above. If you're talking about greatest ever player, for me, that should mean the greatest all round footballer, and that's certainly not David Clifford. He's very good at what he does.. But sure just as an example, a prime Paul Flynn was a better all round footballer than Clifford, he could score silky pts and goals with both feet, could play FF, across the half forward line, could drop into midfield and be on par with anyone, he could cover in the half backs, play as a sweeper in front of FB . covered every blade of grass with skill and athleticism jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20763 - 28/02/2025 11:56:46 2593670 Link
Replying To TheUsername: "The debate is on is Clifford the best player of all time - which i agree is a bit of pathetic statement and the reasoning is sound, he hasn't been outstanding cand influences wanes from quarter finals onwards as a trend. The greatest have and do it in clutch moments when the pressure is on, as a Mayo man you will be well aware of the difference (or maybe not). Difference here is im not arguing Con or MM are the greatest of all time - so perhaps read the post- i just said David is in the conversation with them as a great of this era and i think he is. I Just to correct you again with your clunky post, I also didnt say Con was the greatest footballer of all time, hes not, i said hes one of the most holistic GAA players of all time from club up - and its an unknowledgeable mean spirited Gael who would say otherwise - yet here you are, Its very unfair to say his exploits at club in both codes - which are tellingly significant are done with a strong supporting cast, they are incredible achievement unlikely to be matched for a long time by anyone n the game. Con doesn't need me to argue his case." Where did I say you were saying CON was the greatest? Perhaps you should read my post again. As a footballer I would choose Clifford. And I am pointing out Clifford more often than not is carrying a forward line with little support. The same could never be said for a Dublin player in the modern era. I think CON is unreal by the way. But you said Clifford often struggles which is a daft statement. TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8273 - 28/02/2025 11:57:40 2593671 Link
Replying To oneoff: "Bit like the Dubs and Connelly so." Glad we're agreed! MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13790 - 28/02/2025 12:13:22 2593674 Link
Replying To Liftball: "David Clifford is an exceptional footballer and was the best minor iv ever seen and will go down as one of the greats but I do feel anything he does gets blown way above the norm by media and pundits. He is great for Gaelic football as he puts bums on seats and eyes on the game and makes kids wanna play the game so it's brilliant, and he can get better which is exciting and the new rules should suit him tbh I think con has been better over their carrier and that's just my opinion, Clifford will be in the goat conversation when he retires but the lads 26 and has been being called the goat since he was 20 it's a bit ridiculous tbh, he hasn't recreated the dominance of his minor form in senior (as hard as that would be to do) but one all Ireland from that Kerry 5 minors in a row is poor so far, so no David Clifford isn't the goat at the moment, which shouldn't be controversial to say" I think you've nailed it there. Excellent post, summed it up very well, with plenty of due respect, but also not buying into the hysterics and hyperbole. jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20763 - 28/02/2025 12:14:01 2593676 Link
Replying To MesAmis: "Glad we're agreed!" Never heard of Connely.. any use? jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20763 - 28/02/2025 12:25:53 2593680 Link