GAA star hails ‘best player ever' David Clifford and ‘not surprised by phenomenal' Michael Murphy's impact on Donegal
But when it comes to the only man available at shorter odds than Murphy to claim the Footballer of the Year award,
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Ryan McHugh believes David Clifford is the greatest player of all time
Credit: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
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And he praised Michael Murphy's impact since returning to Donegal
Credit: Ray McManus/Sportsfile
The superb form of
As for Donegal, Sunday's decider will be their first since the three-point defeat to the Munster kingpins in 2014.
But veteran wing-back McHugh said: 'It'll mean nothing if we can't get over the line.
'Kerry are a top, top team with top, top players and arguably, in my
opinion
anyway, the best player to play the game.
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'It'll be massive but we're relishing it. This is where you want to be as a player — getting ready for an All-Ireland final. I've been fortunate enough to be in one before in 2014 and now we have another opportunity.'
Having suffered a semi-final loss to
The three-time All-Star forward, who turns 36
next
month, has looked as sharp as ever since reversing his decision to retire two years ago.
And McHugh, 31, said: 'It hasn't surprised me. There isn't a lot more that you can say about Michael.
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'He's a phenomenal footballer, but it's the way he lives his life outside of
football
.
'He lives like a professional person and the way he conducts himself, he's a real role model and an unbelievable ambassador for our county.
'For him to come back in the shape he was in didn't surprise me.
'I knew he would keep himself in good shape and we saw him in the club
championship
. There are no words.
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'People from all over
Ireland
are starting to get it now. He's a phenomenal person and a phenomenal leader and a phenomenal footballer.'
McHugh has also been impressed by 19-year-old rookie defender Finnbarr Roarty, who was man of the match in the semi-final mauling of Meath.
He said: 'Finnbarr doesn't need anyone's help. We're there if he needs a helping hand. He's a great lad.
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'All the lads coming in have been great, all the
energy
, drive and passion they bring to training. We're learning off them, the way they interact and carry themselves around.'
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David Clifford of Kerry celebrates after scoring his side's first goal past Tyrone
Credit: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
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