Kerry Under 20's manager Jack O’Connor says that David Clifford will feature for Kerry in the 2018 National Football League.
However, it isn’t yet decided who the Fossa superstar will play championship football with next summer.
Despite Clifford turning down advances from the AFL in October, the tug-of-war for his talents continue, with O’Connor saying he’d already spoken to Eamon Fitzmaurice about his plans for the 18 year-old.
“We had a chat about [Clifford], along with the chairman Tim Murphy, and look, more than anything else I’d love to have David Clifford involved with the under 20s, he could be the difference between us winning it and us not winning it. He’s just a remarkable talent.
"The least that he deserves is a go with the Kerry Seniors in the National League. That’ll tell whether he’s up to level or not. He will get to the level but whether he’s up to that level in 2018, has to be seen.”
The new u20 All-Ireland Football Championship will run from June to August, with any player named on a senior inter-county championship panel ineligible to play underage football.
Clifford’s rising star has been well documented over the past couple of seasons, as his sensational scoring exploits guided the Kerry minors to back-to-back All-Ireland titles, scoring 4-04 in the final as captain.
Criminal that David Clifford still has no Wikipedia page, an outrageous rap sheet below, the 2016 AI final goal https://t.co/PV5t0C4IQg #GAA pic.twitter.com/kE240FXaVB
— Tommy Rooney (@TomasORuanaidh) September 17, 2017
O’Connor went on to say that Clifford was the best minor he’d seen in the last 30 years.
“The only minor that i can think of the came close to being as dominant as him was Seamus Moynahan, he was a remarkable minor, he really was, he was a senior six months later, it remains to be seen for David. But you know, if he doesn't make the cut this year he’ll certainly make it in the next year or so.”
Jack also spoke about his adopted club Moorefield’s remarkable comeback win in Sunday’s Leinster final, where his sons Éanna and Cian are key members of the Moorefield panel and Jack plays a role on the sideline. You can check out the full chat on youtube.com/offtheball and facebook.com/offtheball.
Jack O’Connor was speaking on OTB AM this morning, offtheball.com’s new sports breakfast show, live from 7.45am on the Off The Ball social channels.
