Over the next 10 days, our 18 for 18 series will look at 18 Irish athletes aged 18 or younger set for a big 2018. You can read the rest of the series here.
KERRY TEENAGE SENSATION David Clifford caused much discussion in GAA circles this year.
His incredible talent and ability to influence games formed part of the conversation, but for the most part, people were articulating their concerns about his inter-county future as AFL related rumours went into circulation.
Clifford was already earmarked as one to watch ahead of the 2017 season, but 2018 could turn out to be even better for the 18-year-old.
He produced some exceptional performances as part of Kerry’s journey to a fourth consecutive All-Ireland minor title this year, and he racked up some impressive individual tallies along the way.
He hit 1-10 in the All-Ireland semi-final against Cavan, before pocketing an unprecedented 4-4 against Derry in the All-Ireland decider. Fittingly, he was the one to walk up the steps of the Hogan Stand to collect the cup as captain.
He was named the Electric Ireland Minor Star Footballer of the Year by the close of the season, and was also one of the nominees for the RTÉ Sports Young Sportsperson of the Year award.
His formidable performances reportedly attracted the attention of AFL clubs, and there were fears that the Fossa clubman might be tempted by the lure of a professional sport.
The Australian league official Twitter account exacerbated those fears, when they shared an article entitled, “David Clifford, an 18-year-old Gaelic footballer, will come onto the radar of several AFL clubs.”
Kerry legend Tomás O’Sé — who previously expressed his hope that Clifford would choose to stay in Kerry — spoke critically of the AFL’s Twitter activity on the The Sunday Game.
Clifford dismissed the speculation as ‘rumours’ when he spoke to Radio Kerry in the aftermath of that success, and insisted that there had been no approach from any club in Australia.
After that period of uncertainty, Clifford made the decision in October to stay at home following talks with Eamonn Fitzmaurice. It was an announcement which brought much relief to the people of Kerry.
Dublin are the dominant side in Gaelic Football at the moment, and Kerry fans are hopeful that Clifford will be the one to break that momentum and deliver the county’s first All-Ireland crown since 2014.
But he may need more time for his abilities to ripen.
Kerry stalwart Darran O’Sullivan signalled that Clifford has all the attributes needed to excel in the senior grade, but cautioned that putting too much pressure on the 18-year-old at this stage could have a damaging effect on him.
“I don’t want to put too much on his shoulders, like, because I think people need to keep themselves in check a small bit there. It’s not that easy for an 18-year-old to go from being the star of a minor team to the star of a senior team.
“He’s definitely ready, but it’ll take time. I don’t think people can expect fireworks straight away from him, d’you know? It’s going to take time for him to get used to senior football, because it’s a totally different game.”
The noise from the Kingdom suggests that he might get a chance to play in the Allianz League next season, which could lead to a call-up for the championship squad later in the summer.
If that happens, he would longer be eligible to play in the inaugural U20 series.
Irrespective of the option he takes, if Clifford can bring the form from his minor days into the next stage of his career, he will be one continue watching in 2018.
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