Sean Cavanagh Was Stunned David Clifford Wasn't Named RTÉ's Player Of The Match

Kerry are into an All-Ireland final after a resounding victory over old enemy Tyrone in the All-Ireland semifinal.

David Clifford was Kerry's talisman, scoring 1-9. His outstanding first-half showing gave Kerry some breathing room going into the break.

The Kingdom then clinically dispatched Tyrone, who faded badly in the second half heat.

When the time came to pick the Player of the Match on RTÉ, interestingly the panel opted for Tralee midfield wrecking ball Joe O'Connor.

The Austin Stacks man was impressive again today, but Clifford's greatness is another stratosphere.

Here's how Ciaran Whelan and Tomás Ó Sé justified their selection:

CW: "Listen we know Clifford scored 1-9 and we know the genius he is but sometimes the hard work that’s done out the field makes the difference he was phenomenal today box to box he kicked two points" T Ó Sé: "Nobody can say Clifford didn’t deserve it but from the very start it was a work man like performance and nobody epitomised it more than Joe O’Connorhe’s involved in every single thing from start to finish, if Clifford got it sure you couldn’t argue"

Sean Cavanagh was stunned that the award went to Clifford and said that the Fossa man was 'underestimated' in his own county.

I think Kerry people underestimate how good David Clifford is because they see him so much. Every time I see this guy I see the greatest football I’ve ever laid eyes on. There’s plenty of workmen like players 99.9% of players can’t do what David Clifford can do. He can beat you in any way you want beating

Speaking after the match, Jack O'Connor was full of praise for the younger O'Connor for his dedication.

"He’s just a powerful athlete with a tremendous attitude he’s developed into a real leader. When we won here in 2022 he only got five minutes in the final he made a deal with himself then that would be the last day he would be on the sideline."

Clifford was awarded Man of the Match by the BBC.

There was great hope for a memorable semifinal on Saturday afternoon. Kerry got the first score of the game through a Seán O’Shea free but Tyrone took control after that they dominated kickouts and had long periods of possession which led to four points without reply. Caravan, Daly,McGeary and with the scores.

David Clifford then teed up Dylan Geaney for a neat point off his right foot before under 20 star Eoin McElholm showed his outstanding agility to lose his marker and convert from 30 metres out.

Another Sean O’Shea Free then David Clifford burned Padraig Hampsey under the hogan stand to blast over 0-5 0-4 to Tyrone after 20 minutes.

The Trillick lads were on fire, this time Sean O’Donnell curled a shot over before David Clifford kicked an inspirational two pointer and fist pumped the crowd, 0-6 apiece.

David Clifford butchered a goal chance the ball sliced off his left boot high and wide but it only took him five minutes to make amends, brilliantly found with a back door cut he sold Morgan with a Dummy bounce and fired low to the bottom right corner.

Graham O’Sullivan and Mattie Donnelly traded scores before Clifford followed up with a free, Kerry lead by three at the break though they should be further in front only for some exceptional goalkeeping from Niall Morgan.

Straight from the throw in Darragh Canavan jinked inside for a lovely two pointer but Paudie Clifford quickly answered that scooping over from a tight angle.

Joe O’Connor scored two almost identical points, bursting through the middle and blazing over to put Kerry four up with 20 minutes left.

Killian Spillane came off the bench with his customary score turning onto his left foot. He’s kicked a million of them down in Templenoe.

Surprisingly it took 50 minutes for the first yellow card of the game, Michael McKernan got to know David Clifford on his introduction to the game.

David Clifford with his sixth point as he cut back inside Conn Kilpatrick to score before Sean O’Shea got his first point from play.

Tyrone’s composure in front of goal deserted them in the third quarter. They went twenty-two minutes without a score. Wide after wide sucked the life out of the crowd. It was a really disappointing second half performance from Malachy O’Rourke’s men.

Killian Spillane added another and a Clifford free because of a technical Tyrone breach was just typical of how their day was going, only two players scored for them in the second half.

Tyrone got some consolation scores through the two Canavan’s and Mark Bradley but they were well off the pace as Kerry cruised to a six point victory 1-20 to 0-17.