David Clifford’s red-hot form for Kerry could strengthen Donegal’s strategy in overcoming Kerry in the All-Ireland SFC final.
That’s the view of former Offaly footballer Nigel Dunne, who is of the opinion that Jim McGuinness will be plotting how to reduce the impact of Kerry’s marquee player.
The Fossa man has tormented Ulster opposition in his last three outings, plundering 4-23 against Cavan, Armagh and Tyrone, with Donegal now standing in the Kingdom’s way of a second Sam Maguire in four years.
His all-round display at the weekend had Tyrone, and for a long period, Paudie Hampsey chasing shadows as he displayed his full repertoire of skills.
Speaking on the RTÉ GAA podcast, Dunne said that Clifford’s incredible form, in some ways, might play into Donegal’s hands; the more he dominates, the more McGuinness can focus on attempting to nullify the corner-forward.
“He’s possibly having his best-ever year,” he said. “He’s in line to win a third Footballer of the Year award which could cement this ‘greatest of all time’ debate.
“I think that might be the crux that kills Kerry in the end. Donegal have to hyper-focus on David Clifford.
“If Donegal can stop David Clifford from having one of his exceptional performances he’s been having since he hit Croke Park, I don’t know if Kerry have enough outside of David.
“Donegal had 13 different scorers against Meath. They are not reliant on one or two players, it is the system. Kerry are reliant on an absolute genius.”
Enda McGinley, also speaking on the podcast, had a great deal of sympathy for Hampsey at the weekend. One of Tyrone’s go-to man-markers, his positioning for Clifford’s goal was right, yet Clifford still found a way to get past and raise a green flag.
“You can know what’s coming. You can do everything almost practically right, and he’s gone,” he said.
McGinley added that the availability of Kerry forward Paul Geaney could be significant in deciding the outcome.
“Paul Geaney’s fitness is really critical,” he said. “He is a highly rated, yet under-rated player. He is as smart a player that is out there and a brilliant foil for Clifford, extremely selfless in how he plays.”
Dunne feels the onerous task in picking up Clifford will fall to Brendan McCole (pictured above), with the St Naul’s man proving his stickiness as a marker on a few occasions this season.
“Brendan McCole has snuffed out every forward he has come up against this year; Sam Mulroy, Darragh Canavan, Jordan Morris at the weekend,” he said.
“He is meeting a different animal in Clifford. McCole will avoid the defensive system, he’ll just follow David Clifford everywhere. Everyone else will go zonally.
“The fact he’s in irresistible form, I’m not sure that bodes well for Kerry. The blueprint to beat Kerry is there for Jim McGuinness.”
