Inside David Clifford's life off the GAA pitch
The full forward will be lining out as part of Jack O'Connor's Kerry team on Saturday with hopes that they will secure their place in the final in two weeks time.
The 26-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best footballers currently playing, but what honours does he have, and what's his life like off the pitch? David Clifford will be hoping to make it into his fourth All Ireland Senior Football final after this week's clash with Tyrone in Croke Park. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
David Clifford first showed his insane talent after scoring two goals and five points in the Hogan Cup final for his school St Brendan's College in Killarney ten years ago. It was the first title for the club in 24 years after beating St Patrick's College.
David joined the Kerry minor team not long after and won back-to-back Munster and All Ireland medals in 2016 and 2017.
The next year he made his senior debut and won his first Munster Championship that summer beating both Clare and Cork on the way to victory. Kerry brothers Paudie, left, and David Clifford, and David's son Ógie celebrate with the Sam Maguire Cup in 2022. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
The Fossa footballer was Kerry captain in 2020, the same year he won his first national league title with The Kingdom. Clifford also captained the Kerry team in 2023.
Three years later, with a number of Munster titles under his belt, David Clifford won his first All Ireland Senior Football title, scoring eight points against Galway in one day.
The following year Kerry lost in the final to Dublin, while in 2024 they were knocked out by Derry in the Quarter-Finals.
All roads lead to Croke Park this weekend as the Kerry team take on Tyrone to reclaim a place in the All Ireland finals. David, left, and Paudie Clifford of Kerry with family, including mother Ellen, father Dermot, and sister Shelly. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
David has been in a relationship with partner Shauna O'Connor since at least 2017, EVOKE reports, adding that social media pictures see the pair fresh-faced at the age of 18 years old.
The couple welcomed their first child, Ógie, in 2021 the day after Kerry were beaten in the All Ireland Championships against eventual winners Tyrone. David has been in a relationship with partner Shauna O'Connor since at least 2017. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
Speaking to RSVP Magazine at the time, the new dad said: 'It's an example of the lows but then the highs you can feel as well but everything is going great so far, thank God.'
The Kerry man studied at the Institute of Technology, Tralee (now Munster Technological University Kerry) and got a Masters at the University of Limerick.
He currently teaches in his former secondary school, St Brendan's College.
David's older brother Paudie also plays for the Kerry county football team with the duo often lining out together.
The pair were often proudly supported by their late mother Ellen, who died from cancer in May 2023. Ellen had just turned 60 when she lost her battle.
Speaking at her funeral, Paudie said they had 'many great memories' of their mum going to games, noting she had 'passion and commitment for GAA.'
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