David Clifford (Irish: DaithààClúmháin) (born 22 January 1999) is a Gaelic footballer who plays corner-forward or full-forward for the Kerry county team and at club level for Fossa and divisional side East Kerry. He is a two-time Senior Football All-Ireland winner, a six-time GAA/GPA All-Star and has won the GAA/GPA Footballer of the Year a record three times. He is widely regarded as the greatest player of his generation.
He has also won two All-Ireland Minor Championships with Kerry, four Kerry County Championships with East Kerry, and the Hogan Cup with his school, St. Brendan's College, Killarney.
Clifford made his senior debut during the 2018 National Football League.
He won his first Munster Senior Football Championship title later that summer after over coming Clare (0âÂÂ02) and then Cork (0âÂÂ02) in the final.
Kerry failed to progress from their Super 8's group stage. Clifford scoring 1âÂÂ05 against Galway, 1âÂÂ03 against Monaghan and 2âÂÂ06 against Kildare.
He ended the year with an All Star and as GAA/GPA Young Footballer of the Year.
In 2019, Clifford again won the Munster Senior Football Championship with Kerry, scoring 0âÂÂ03 in the semi-final versus Clare and scoring 0âÂÂ04 in the final versus Cork.
In the Super 8 group stage, Clifford scored 0âÂÂ07 against Mayo, 0âÂÂ03 against Donegal and was rested against Meath. He scored 0âÂÂ05 in the semi-final against Tyrone.
Kerry went on to reach the All-Ireland senior final versus Dublin. Clifford scored 0âÂÂ02 in the drawn match and 0âÂÂ05 in the replay, as Dublin ran out 1âÂÂ18 to 0âÂÂ15 winners.
He ended the year with an All Star.
Clifford was selected as Kerry captain due to the Kerry Senior Football Championship being won by his East Kerry side.
Kerry won the 2020 National Football League after winning 5 of their 7 matches. This was Clifford's first national league title.
Clifford scored 0âÂÂ04 in the shock Munster Senior Football Championship semi final loss to Cork. The 2020 championship was straight knock-out and as such was his only championship game that year.
He scored a hat-trick against Galway in the opening round of the 2021 National Football League. Kerry would go on to share the National League title with Dublin this year delivering Clifford his second league title.
He won his third Munster Senior Football Championship defeating Clare (1âÂÂ06), Tipperary (1âÂÂ02) and Cork (0âÂÂ01).
Kerry reached the All-Ireland semi final in which they faced Tyrone. Clifford scored 0âÂÂ08 on the day, however, due to injury he could not take part in extra-time. Tyrone ran out winners 3âÂÂ14 to 0âÂÂ22.
He ended the year with an All Star.
Clifford won his third National League to start the inter county season. In the final versus Mayo he scored 1âÂÂ06, 1âÂÂ05 from play.
His fourth Munster championship arrived in 2022. In the semi-final he scored 0âÂÂ04 however, injury prevented Clifford from playing in the final versus Limerick.
The All-Ireland quarter final versus Mayo saw Clifford return from injury. He scored 1âÂÂ03 in the win. A semi final win over Dublin was secured on the back of his 0âÂÂ06.
Clifford scored 0âÂÂ08 against Galway in the 2022 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final and in the process won his first All-Ireland Senior Football Championship. He was chosen as man of the match due to his performance.
He won his fourth All Star and was selected as GAA/GPA Footballer of the Year and The Sunday Game Footballer of the Year.
Clifford was selected as captain for the 2023 season.
He made his season debut as a second-half substitute in Kerry's round 3 league match against Mayo. He played in 5 league games as Kerry finished 5th in the Division 1 league.
Clifford was named at full forward for their Munster semi-final against Tipperary. He scored 0âÂÂ02 in their 0âÂÂ25 to 0âÂÂ05 win.
Clifford was awarded the man of the match award in their Munster final against Clare. He scored 2âÂÂ06 in their 5âÂÂ14 to 0âÂÂ15 win. He played in the match alongside brother Paudie as a tribute to their mother, Ellen Clifford, who died the previous day.
In Kerry's first All-Ireland round robin match versus Mayo, Clifford scored 0âÂÂ08 (0-03f) in a Kerry loss. Clifford scored 1âÂÂ05 (1âÂÂ00p, 0-01f) in their second round win versus Cork. He scored 2-04 (1-00p) in their final round robin win versus Louth. This guaranteed Kerry top spot and direct progress to the quarter finals.
Clifford contributed 0-05 (0-03f) in the All-Ireland quarter final victory over Tyrone. Kerry winning on a score line of 2âÂÂ18 to 0âÂÂ12.
A man of the match performance in the All Ireland Semi Final ensured Kerry's progress. He contributed 0-09 (0-04f) in a 1âÂÂ17 to 1âÂÂ15 win.
In the All-Ireland Final, it was Dublin who emerged victorious on a score line of 1âÂÂ15 to 1âÂÂ13. Clifford scored 0-03 (0-01f) in his tussle with Mick Fitzsimmons.
He won his fifth All Star and was selected as GAA/GPA Footballer of the Year for a second time.
Kerry finished third in the National League with Clifford featuring in six games and scoring 1âÂÂ25 in the process.
Clifford won his sixth Munster medal, scoring 0âÂÂ04 in the semi-final against Cork and 0âÂÂ04 against Clare in the final.
In the All-Ireland group stage, Clifford scored 0âÂÂ05 against Monaghan, 2âÂÂ02 against Meath and 0âÂÂ07 against Louth.
Kerry progressed through the All-Ireland Quarter-Final against Derry, with Clifford scoring 0-03. In the All-Ireland Semi-Final versus Armagh, Clifford contributed 0âÂÂ04 as Kerry exited the championship to Armagh after extra time.
Clifford won his fourth National League. He scored 3-22 across five Division 1 group fixures. His 0âÂÂ8 in the final against Mayo assisted Kerry in becoming the first team to win the Corn MhichÃÂl UàMhuircheartaigh, named for MÃÂcheál àMuircheartaigh.
Clifford won his seventh Munster medal, scoring 0âÂÂ09 against Cork in the semi-final and 2âÂÂ05 against Clare in the final.
In Kerry's first All-Ireland group match versus Roscommon, Clifford scored 1âÂÂ3 in a 3âÂÂ18 to 0âÂÂ17 win. In a 1âÂÂ28 to 0-20 second round win versus Cork, Clifford scored 1-08. In their final group game, Clifford scored 0âÂÂ05 as Kerry lost 1âÂÂ22 to 0âÂÂ16 to Meath.
In the preliminary quarter-final win against Cavan, Clifford scored 3âÂÂ07 in a man of the match performance. After the Cavan game, Clifford issued a rallying call to the Kerry supporters. âÂÂIâÂÂd like to call for our supporters to get behind us. IâÂÂm not sure they realise the impact they can have on us in Croke Park. When we hear that Kerry crowd behind you itâÂÂs worth five and six points to you in a game.âÂÂ
On their return to Croke Park Kerry knocked out reigning champions Armagh in the All-Ireland Quarter-Final. In a 15-minute spell in the second half, Kerry scored 0-14 without reply. Clifford contributed 0âÂÂ07 in a 0âÂÂ32 to 1âÂÂ21 win. In the All-Ireland semi-final versus Tyrone Clifford scored 1âÂÂ09 as Kerry progressed to the final on a 1âÂÂ20 to 0âÂÂ17 scoreline.
On the 27th of July, Clifford won his second All-Ireland medal with a 1âÂÂ26 to 0âÂÂ19 win over Donegal. He did not touch the ball for the first 9 minutes of the match, however with his first touch he scored a 2-pointer and contributed 0-07 from 6 possessions in the first half. He scored 0âÂÂ09 in total with all his scores coming from play.
Remarking on the new rules implemented for the 2025 season. Clifford offered the view that âÂÂit brought a great freshness to the game; it brought people back talking about and watching the game⦠teams go for it. Teams have a crack off it. That is all we want to see, really, in the game⦠seeing the new rules and looking back, you're probably saying this is a bit more enjoyableâÂÂ.
He scored 8-62 (8-48 from play) over the course of 9 championship matches, finishing as the leading 2025 championship scorer in points, goals, 2-pointers, from play and in total.
The Sunday Game panel awarded him his second Footballer of the Year and a place on his fifth Team of the Year.
On the 7th of November 2025, Clifford made history as he won a record breaking third GAA/GPA Footballer of the Year and his sixth All Star.
Clifford made his seasonal debut in the 0âÂÂ16 to 0-15 McGrath Cup loss to Cork.
Clifford scored 1âÂÂ08 in Kerry's opening round 2âÂÂ18 to 1âÂÂ20 win against Roscommon. This was followed by 1âÂÂ06 against Galway in their draw in Austin Stack Park. Playing in his first away league game of the season, Clifford contributed 0âÂÂ04 in a win against Dublin. In a Round 5 win versus Monaghan, Clifford was introduced as a second-half substitute, scoring 1-03. In a dominant Round 6 home win against Mayo, Clifford scored 0âÂÂ09 in a 2âÂÂ29 to 0âÂÂ19 win. Kerry secured their place in the Division 1 final thanks to a 0-24 to 1-21 draw in round 7 against Armagh, Clifford contributed 0-10. Donegal produced a clinical league final display in Croke Park, defeating Kerry 3-20 to 2-10. Caolan McColgan was tasked with man-marking duties and limited Clifford to 1-01.
A week after his first All-Ireland win with Kerry, Clifford scored 1âÂÂ9 versus Listowel Emmets. In his second match of the 2022 club championship, he again scored 1âÂÂ9 versus Castlegregory. In their third group match he scored 0âÂÂ10 against Listry. Against Annascaul in the quarter-final he scored 1âÂÂ6 in Fossa's victory. In their semi final win over Ardfert, he contributed 0âÂÂ9 of their 0âÂÂ14 total. The Junior Premier final brought Fossa and Listry together again. In Fossa's 4âÂÂ15 to 0âÂÂ22 win, Clifford scored 2âÂÂ12.
Fossa went on to win the 2022 Munster Junior club football championship. Clifford scoring 0âÂÂ04 (0-02f) versus Feohanagh-Castlemahon (Limerick) and 0âÂÂ10 (0-07f) in the final versus Kilmurry (Cork).
In the All-Ireland series Clifford scored 0âÂÂ07 (0-01f) in the semi-final versus Castletown from Meath.
He guided Fossa to their first All-Ireland Junior win in a man of the match performance versus Stewartstown Harps GFC. He scored 0âÂÂ11 (0-03f) and was sent off in the dying moments having received a second yellow card.
Fossa were promoted to the Intermediate Championship for 2023. Clifford scored 0âÂÂ07 against An Ghaeltacht, 0âÂÂ07 against St Mary's, 0âÂÂ05 against Glenflesk and 1âÂÂ07 against Castleisland Desmonds in the quarter-final.
In the semi-final he scored 0âÂÂ13 against Austin Stacks in a normal time draw. Clifford scored the opening penalty in the shootout as Fossa reached their first ever intermediate final. Milltown/Castlemaine were the opponents in the final, Clifford scored 0âÂÂ12 in a 2âÂÂ13 to 0âÂÂ18 loss.
In the group stage, Clifford scored 0âÂÂ04 against Beaufort, 1âÂÂ09 against Castleisland Desmonds and 1âÂÂ06 against Ballydonoghue.
A second-place finish in the group led Fossa to quarter-final against Kerins O'Rahilly's, Clifford scored in 0âÂÂ05 in a four-point win. A semi-final with Laune Rangers ended in a 3âÂÂ11 to 1âÂÂ19 loss. Cifford scored a remarkable 3âÂÂ08 on the day.
In their opening group match, Fossa defeated John Mitchels 2âÂÂ19 to 1âÂÂ11 with Clifford contributing 1-08 (0-01f). In their next group game Fossa defeated Firies 4âÂÂ16 to 0âÂÂ18, with Clifford scoring 0-09 (0-04tpf). With both teams already qualified for the quarter-final, the final round clash with Kilcummin was to decide who topped the group. Kilcummin won 0âÂÂ22 to 0âÂÂ10, Clifford scoring 0-05 (0-01f).
In their quarter-final away to Beaufort, Clifford scored 0âÂÂ04 as Fossa won 2âÂÂ11 to 0âÂÂ15. The semi-final brought Fossa and Kilcummin back together. Fossa reversed the result from the group stage, winning 3âÂÂ14 to 0âÂÂ20 with Clifford scoring 1-05.
Fossa lost their second intermediate final in three years as An Ghaeltacht triumphed on a 0âÂÂ19 to 1âÂÂ11 scoreline. Clifford contributed 0âÂÂ07 in the losing effort.
Clifford plays with East Kerry in the Kerry Senior Football Championship.
At underage level he won two Kerry Minor Football Championship titles in 2016 and 2017. He won a Kerry Under-21 Football Championship title in 2018.
He is four time county champion, winning in 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023.
In 2019 he scored 1âÂÂ06 in the quarter-final, 0âÂÂ09 in the semi-final and 1âÂÂ03 in the final.
In 2020 he scored 1âÂÂ05 in the quarter-final and 1âÂÂ04 in the final.
In 2021, a straight knock out championship was in place. Clifford scored 0âÂÂ02 as East Kerry lost to eventual champions Austin Stacks.
Clifford made his 2022 debut as a substitute in the win against Spa. He scored 0âÂÂ3 after being introduced in the 40th minute. He scored 0âÂÂ07 in the quarter final versus Kenmare Shamrocks. He won his third Kerry Senior Football Championship beating Mid Kerry in the final, scoring 1âÂÂ09 in the process.
In 2023, Clifford made his debut in a ten-minute cameo against Templenoe. He started the quarter final against St. Kierans and scored 1âÂÂ05 in a 4âÂÂ19 to 0âÂÂ12 win. His 1-03 helped ensure progression to the Kerry senior final at the expense of Rathmore on a score line of 1âÂÂ16 to 1âÂÂ10. East Kerry defeated Mid Kerry 2âÂÂ10 to 0âÂÂ15 in the final with Clifford contributing 0-03.
East Kerry began their 2024 campaign against Rathmore, Clifford scored 1âÂÂ07 in 4âÂÂ16 to 2âÂÂ12 win. In Round 2, Milltown/Castlemaine were defeated 0âÂÂ16 to 0âÂÂ06 with Clifford contributing 0-04. In the Quarter-Final against St Kieran's, Clifford scored 0âÂÂ06 in a 1âÂÂ14 to 1âÂÂ12 win. East Kerry's title defence ended at the Semi-Final stage, in an extra-time loss Clifford scored 1âÂÂ02 as Kerry fell to Dingle on a 2âÂÂ16 to 1âÂÂ14 scoreline.
In the preliminary stage, Clifford scored 1âÂÂ05 in a 2âÂÂ18 to 1âÂÂ10 win against St Kieran's. Clifford contributed 0âÂÂ05 as East Kerry won their 2025 first round clash against Templenoe 3âÂÂ23 to 1âÂÂ10. East Kerry were knocked out at the quarter-final stage by Rathmore in a sensational 1âÂÂ20 to 0âÂÂ09 loss. Clifford scored 0âÂÂ05 as Rathmore scored 14 unanswered points in the second half.
Clifford first came to prominence when he scored 2âÂÂ05 in the Hogan Cup final 2016 as St Brendan's College, Killarney saw off St Patrick's College, Maghera to deliver their first title in 24 years.
Clifford made his debut on the inter-county scene at the age of sixteen when he was selected for the Kerry minor team. He enjoyed two championship seasons with the minor team and won back-to-back Munster and All-Ireland medals in 2016 and 2017.
He was captain of the 2017 winning teams scoring 6âÂÂ27 in six games, including 4âÂÂ04 in the All-Ireland final win over Derry. He ended the 2017 season as the Minor Footballer of the Year.
In addition to Gaelic football, Clifford also played underage soccer, as a centre-half. The future professional English Football League players Shane McLoughlin and Dara O'Shea alongside future musician Ryan Meaney were his opponents at under-age level.
Clifford was marked out as an underage star during his Kerry minor career and according to the Irish Times was âÂÂwidely expected to be a mainstay in the senior county team for years to comeâÂÂ.
Clifford's skill set has been compared to a range of Kerry greats. Irish Independent journalist Frank Roche noted his similarities to three players from the great Kerry team of the 1970s and 80's, Eoin ListonâÂÂs aerial ability, the athleticism and pace of Pat Spillane and the goal threat of John Egan. From the 1990âÂÂs on, the vision of Maurice Fitzgerald, two footed ability of Mike Frank Russell and the left foot, balance and evasion of Colm Cooper.
Conor McKeon of the Irish Independent has compared Clifford to Lionel Messi and in particular their shared disposition in the initial stages of matches to walking around the pitch as they observe defensive structures and patterns. This was particularly evident in the 2025 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final as Clifford did not touch the ball in the first 9 minutes of the match before scoring 0-09.
Former GAA/GPA Footballer of the Year James O'Donoghue described CliffordâÂÂs playing style as âÂÂhe plays low; he plays kind of hunched-over⦠heâÂÂs so nimble on his feet when heâÂÂs playing. So if you get too tight to him, he has the footwork to go around you, and the pace to go around you. Also, if you get too tight with him, he can just paw you off with a hand and keep you at armâÂÂs length⦠he has incredible balance, incredible footwork, for a man whoâÂÂs six-foot-threeâÂÂ.
Broadcaster and former Kerry captain Dara àCinnéide remarked that he saw âÂÂthis kind of quick-step that Clifford has, andâ¦just went, âÂÂHoly f**k! What is he doing there?â¦thatâÂÂs where I am with Clifford. I want to be at these games where IâÂÂm just saying, âÂÂWhatâÂÂs he going to do today?â And that's the privilege. And that's the thrill.âÂÂ
Clifford is known for his distinctive kicking style which physical therapist Gerard Hartmann attributed to his âÂÂrange of motionâ¦there is a genetic factor. We are all born with an inherited flexibility hyper mobility, which Clifford has clearly maintainedâÂÂ. Sports scientist and former London GAA football manager Ciarán Deely compared how Clifford adapts his kicking technique depending on distance, â for closer shots, he tends to get his head and chest in over the ball to ensure optimal accuracyâ¦(for longer shots) his right toe is barely touching the ground, his body is completely upright, even his head tilted back, and his left foot is a good six inches above his hairline. This is not the typical kicking technique!âÂÂ
James O'Donoghue summarised his kicking style, âÂÂhe puts hand to foot in terms of kicking the ball so quickly. He gets one step; he puts the hand out and itâÂÂs over the barâÂÂ.
Clifford has produced impressive scoring feats since his underage gaelic football days, including 2âÂÂ05 in the 2016 Hogan Cup final and 4âÂÂ04 in the 2017 All-Ireland Minor final. Dara àCinnéide noted that when âÂÂhe's fully fit and there's a supply line there, he'll deliver because he always does.âÂÂ
2024 All Star corner back Barry McCambridge remarked that âÂÂwhen David Clifford gets a score I find it almost counts as double because their fans get such a buzz out of it, so do their players.â McCambridge also referenced Clifford's use of the backdoor cut and his goal threat, âÂÂheâÂÂs so good on the backdoor cut and scoring goals so you donâÂÂt want to get caught. But if you step off slightly to block out that backdoor cut thatâÂÂs when he starts going into the space in front and scoring, and thereâÂÂs one-point and two-point options there. ItâÂÂs about weighing that up.âÂÂ
Clifford and his girlfriend Shauna O'Connor have one son named ÃÂigÃÂ, born in September 2021. His brother Paudie Clifford is also a member of the Kerry team and a fellow All-Ireland winner.
He studied in Institute of Technology, Tralee and graduated with a degree in health and leisure. In August 2022, he graduated with a Masters in PE teaching at the University of Limerick. Clifford is a teacher in his alma mater St Brendan's College, Killarney.
He supports Celtic.
In November 2025, Clifford became the first Gaelic games player to release his own brand of clothing and apparel. In collaboration with McKeever Sports, Clifford released an apparel range complete with a logo featuring the âÂÂiconic Clifford kicking image with his left leg cocked up in the air beside his left earâÂÂ.