Football

Clifford brothers pay tribute to late mother by helping Kerry to Munster final win

Kerry captain David Clifford lifts the Munster Cup after his side's win over Clare in Sunday's Munster SFC final at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick    Picture: Sportsfile
Kerry captain David Clifford lifts the Munster Cup after his side's win over Clare in Sunday's Munster SFC final at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick Picture: Sportsfile Kerry captain David Clifford lifts the Munster Cup after his side's win over Clare in Sunday's Munster SFC final at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick Picture: Sportsfile

Munster SFC final: Kerry 5-14 Clare 0-15

DAVID and Paudie Clifford honoured their mother in the best way they know how, shooting 3-6 between them to lead Kerry to a Munster title in their moment of grief.

Jack O’Connor didn’t expect the brothers to line out when he heard the news of Ellen Clifford’s passing on Saturday. But it was the Clifford family who had agreed the brothers should take to the field at the Gaelic Grounds.

“When I talked to them, they were adamant that they had discussed it as a family and the extended family,” said O’Connor.

“The decision was that they wanted to play and we certainly weren’t going to stand in their way and by and large, it has worked out well. They honoured their mother in the best way possible and made everyone proud.”

Captain David lifted the Munster Cup to mark the Kingdom’s 84th provincial title after accumulating a personal tally of 2-6, with Paudie setting up one of those goals and adding another of his own.

Seán O'Shea accepted the man of the match award on David's behalf as the brothers headed straight to the dressing room after the trophy presentation, exchanging pats on the back along the way.

O’Connor said their decision to join the Kerry squad for the game provided some comfort: “The boys got a bit of solace coming into the group this morning because they are very supportive of each other and very tight as a unit.

“It was just fantastic that they played so well.”

The professional manner of their performance was a rich testament to their character: “There came a time this morning where we had to treat this as a normal game and everything had to be normal,” O’Connor said. “Once the ball is thrown in, everything goes hell for leather.

“It was a great testament to their focus that they were able to put all that behind them. That is a tough blow to lose your mother at such a young age and they wouldn’t have slept much last night but they get great solace in being with the group. I’m sure the lads will really look after that as a group over the next few days.”

Both players were warmly applauded by the 12,499 crowd when their names were announced in the team to start, with a minute’s silence observed before throw-in for the woman who would’ve taken great joy from seeing her sons win All-Irelands for county and club in the past year.

The highlight of the day arrived in the 32nd minute when the brothers combined for Kerry’s third goal. It was a moment of sibling telepathy, with Paudie pointing where he wanted his brother to run and David beating the keeper to the lofted pass. The gap was 12 by that mark, 3-8 to 0-5, and game over.

Kerry advance into Group OnE of the All-Ireland series, where they will welcome Mayo to Killarney in a fortnight’s time before facing Cork (away) and the Leinster final runners-up (neutral venue). Clare go into Group 4, where they will meet Donegal (home), Monaghan (away), and the Ulster champions (neutral venue).

Kerry’s only worry arising from this result was full-back Jason Foley limping off in the final minute, with O’Connor unsure whether it was a hamstring injury or cramp. Paul Murphy missed out with a “minor” hamstring strain but took part in the warm-up and will be in contention to face Mayo.

His replacement Dylan Casey had a storming full debut. The corner-back fisted their opening point and set up their first goal in the 15th minute for Tony Brosnan. Brosnan and Paul Geaney combined to play in Dara Moynihan for their second four minutes later.

The Cliffords teamed up for another approaching half-time before each adding further classy finishes after the break.

MATCH STATS

Scorers for Kerry: David Clifford 2-6 (0-4f); Dara Moynihan, Tony Brosnan 1-1 each; Paudie Clifford 1-0; Seán O’Shea 0-2 (1 45); Dylan Casey, Gavin White, Paul Geaney, Killian Spillane 0-1 each.

Scorers for Clare: Eoin Cleary 0-6 (4f); Emmet McMahon 0-4 (2f); Stephen Ryan (2f), Keelan Sexton 0-2; Ciarán Russell 0-1.

Kerry: S Ryan; T O’Sullivan, J Foley, D Casey (0-1); G O’Sullivan, T Morley, G White; D O’Connor, J Barry; D Moynihan (1-1), S O’Shea (0-2, 0-1 45), P Clifford (1-0); T Brosnan (1-1), D Clifford (2-6, 0-4 frees), P Geaney (0-1); Substitutes: K Spillane (0-1) for Geaney (51), B Ó Beaglaioch for T O’Sullivan (51), S O’Brien for Moynihan (51), BD O’Sullivan for Barry (60), M Breen for G O’Sullivan (60).

CLARE: S Ryan (0-2, 0-2 frees); C Rouine, C Brennan, M Doherty; C Russell (0-1), J Malone, D Walsh; C O’Connor, D O’Neill; P Lillis, E McMahon (0-4, 0-2 frees), D Coughlan; E Cleary (0-6, 0-4 frees), K Sexton (0-2), P Collins; Subs: R Lanigan for Doherty (h-t), B McNamara for O’Connor (h-t), G Cooney for Coughlan (48), I Ugwueru for O’Neill (59), C O’Dea for Collins (59).

Referee: Jerome Henry (Mayo).

Attendance: 12,499.