Jim McGuinness makes eye-catching David Clifford claim in run-up to Donegal battling Kerry in All-Ireland final
The All-Ireland final match-up has
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Jim McGuinness is aiming to avenge their 2014 final loss
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Clifford, 26, only has the one Celtic Cross
Clifford's place amongst the all-time greats
So it was no surprise that McGuinness was asked for his take at Tuesday's media day.
The 52-year-old pondered: 'Myself and Mark Anthony (his son) were chatting about it on the way up in the car there and we were talking about the fact that he could be the best player that has ever played the game and time will tell on that I suppose.
'You can never make that assertion until somebody hangs up the boots but certainly he's an exceptional football player. He seems to be very driven this year.
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"He's carrying the fight I would almost say with a determination and aggressiveness like an attacking aggressiveness – when he sees a gap he's just really going for that gap.
'Even some of the scorers even in Croke Park – he's not kicking it over, he's firing it over. It's almost like he's putting down markers and I think he's leading from the front, literally.'
Tuesday also brought even more words on Sunday's potential classic from former
Brolly
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Apearing on the
"They've worked with a basketball coach. McGuinness actually said it the week that the new rules were unveiled.
Sharlene Mawdsley takes part in hilarious road race as part of Tipperary's All-Ireland celebration
"He said 'We're going back to the old game, this is all about scoring rate.' They're scoring 1-27, 1-28, 3-25.
"Paddy McBrearty was asked after the All-Ireland semi-final about how he'd be pushing for a place in starting fifteen and he said he'd be pushing for a place in the matchday 26!
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"There's massive competition there because Jim has this messianic quality."
A few minutes later Spillane then gave his view that he'd marginally give the edge to the Kingdom. When he mentioned that Donegal had a few weaknesses, Brolly called on him to be more specific.
To which the eight-time All-Ireland winner replied: "Their running game is a hard game to sustain for 70 minutes. Zonal defence is a weakness. There's space to be exploited there by a kicking team.
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"The first half against Monaghan showed that as Monaghan switched the play from one side to the other. They'd an overload and took them on one-on-one and were very impressive.
"So zonal marking, running in transition and Michael Murphy - no different from David Clifford - if he's contained (Kerry can win). The new rules suit Kerry, Croke Park suits them as a heads up kicking team."
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He also added that his hopeful view was partly down to the weather forecast being good for Sunday with dry conditions further helping their prospects.
The two counties did of course contest the 2014 decider with McGuinness saying this week that
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One instant improvement this time around will be that
The Kerry county board have confirmed that Jack O'Connor's charges will line out in their alternative dark blue kit.
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