Paudie Clifford: Kerry felt disrespected by David Clifford 'one-man team' jibe

Irish Daily Mirror

3 days ago

Paudie Clifford says Kerry felt 'disrespected' by pundits who labeled them a one man team.
The Kingdom's critics were referring to David Clifford, and they got their answer in the victories over Armagh, Tyrone and Donegal to what was always nonsense analysis.
Jack O'Connor's men were also on the back foot after losing their final round All-Ireland group game to Meath with some stinging criticism locally and from pundits.
"I suppose as a team, we would feel disrespected because we were in three of the last four All-Irelands and we've won two of them now,' said 27 year old playmaker Clifford.
'And to be called a one-man team when I see myself, some of the work that our lads put in.
'Like Joe O'Connor, the turnovers, winning balls, scoring. Jason Foley, Brian Ó Beaglaoich, Gavin White.
'I'm only naming a few. I see the work that they put in every day. To be called a one-man team then, it's nearly like it's disrespectful. It's kind of personal.
'I suppose that's the angle we were coming from. Obviously he's (David Clifford) a top, top player and one of the greatest players ever.
'I suppose the new rules have probably given him a new lease of life. But he's had an unbelievable year - delighted for him."
Clifford continued: 'We were close against Armagh last year and we'd be our own worst critics as well.
'We admitted that we've under-performed definitely as a team over some of the years.
'But I suppose with the work we put in and the players we have there, for them things to be said, it's not nice to hear it."
Kerry had two goal chances at the start of the second half against Armagh that would almost certainly have paved the way for a victory in last year's semi-final that would have landed them in an All-Ireland final against Galway.
The year before they were narrowly beaten by Dublin in the All-Ireland Final after landing the Sam Maguire in 2022 against Galway.
And the suspicion is that under the new rules and with the Clifford brothers to the fore, more All-Irelands will follow with the Fossa pair winning their second Celtic Cross yesterday.
Paudie Clifford had a whopping 76 touches as he ran the Kerry challenge.
"Was it?' he said of his possessions. 'I didn't feel like that. I was just happy to be able to try and play make and create as many chances as I can for the other lads.
'It was an enjoyable game to play because everything did work out for us. But if things went the other way, it wouldn't have been."
David Clifford's two pointer after the hooter at the end of the first half was a huge moment sending Kerry in seven points up and totally in command.
"It was massive,' said his older brother. 'But at the same time, we had in the back of our heads that when Donegal played Monaghan, (Rory) Beggan scored a two-pointer just before the half and Donegal still came out strong, which they did.
'They came out strong in the second half (last Sunday) and won a lot of ball around the middle and got it back to four. They could have got it back to three.
'So after the Monaghan game, we were in no way resting on our laurels.
'We just said we have to keep going, keep going and just keep being kind of the aggressors. Keep taking our scores when we could. Thankfully we did."