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David Clifford The Goat - 3 Like(s)
Replying To eoinog: "Football is constantly evolving and there is always new footballers coming along taking their place on the Pinnacle of the ladder. Some brilliant players were unable to stay on top of their game due to distractions and I am sure you can all name at least 10 to 15 that fall into that category. Matt Connor was a brilliant, brilliant player and due to the sad way his career finished people definitely look at him through Rose tinted glasses. In the All Ireland final of 82 he didn't have a particularly good game and only scored one solitary point from play. Yet Clifford scores 1.6 last Sunday from play and people say where was he in the second half?
Clifford will never get enough recognition for what he is doing while he is still playing football. He will need to be retired 10 or 15 years before his greatness will be appreciated. I don't believe there is any such thing as a GOAT. Just appreciate every good footballer and enjoy the entertainment they provide." Thats actually a very good post Eoin.
I agree with all of your scribe.Impossible to say who is best ever .Its different eras and most of us never saw alot of older players.Also maybe defenders were better or worse in days gone by.However forwards did have only one marker years back whereas the likes of David nearly all have two marking him.
In the 2021 Munster championship v Cork there were 3 men on Clifford nearly non stop.One each side of him and one in front.They did blot him out but the rest of the Kerry forwards had a field day free and Kerry won by 22 points.
You are correct abour Matt Connor.One of my favourite players ever and top class but scored little from play in his two finals.
In this era David has shown his credentials but still wont get his deserved kudos from some but cest la vie.
CiarraiMick (National) - 30/07/2026 12:08:31
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Football Championship 2026 - 3 Like(s)
Its very clear now a good club campaign can mess up your county campaign- Paul Geaney, Tom o sullivan, brian ó beaglaoich all barely played this year for Kerry. Dylan geaney looked tired near the end. The st bridgits lads barely played for Roscommon Ben o carroll, Brian Stack, Shane Cunnane. Rory beggan had his first ever injury in a monaghan jersey after a good year with scotstown. Conor mc carthy back real late for monaghan.
The year before the two canavans the two of the lads have barely featured for tyrone since then struggling with injurys. Con o callaghan has been suffereing with injurys ever since his good club run in 2024/2025
Farneyarmy2013 (National) - 30/07/2026 11:37:46
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David Clifford The Goat - 3 Like(s)
Replying To Fionn: "Definitely up there with the greats but some from his neck of the woods have a chip on their shoulder about him…! . Every team would want him, But….
This topic is about him being the GOAT.
He is Not." Who is so Fionn? I have nt seen a better baller.I wish he was a Dub.I ve me him and he is a sound bloke.Most of the great reckon he is the best and hard to argue with it.Barney hit nail on head,Kerry without the brothers Clifford are very ordinary.
I went to see him in a club match a few years ago with a Kerry mate and I thought I was seen things magical.Met him after the game after he spent about an hour signing jersey and doin selfies.A different man off the pitch and a big man.Very friendly and down to earth.
brayballer (National) - 29/07/2026 18:15:28
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David Clifford The Goat - 3 Like(s)
Replying To CiarraiMick: "A few posters here dont like to give David full credit.If he was nt from Kerry maybe they would say different.
Most people that call him the goat are from outside Kerry.Most of us hate hearing that and I believe he hates it himself.
The facts are that David Clifford is a fantastic footballer.Well as Barney says he plays on a mediocre team.Can you imagine if he played on a great team.
Begrudges say ah he s good but Ive seen better.
David is the second top scorer in championship history and he is only 27.
Cillian O Connor is top.However most of Davids scores are from.play.
David has played in 6 All Ireland finals and I believe is the highest scorer ever from play in finals.
He has constantly been brilliant.One of his great displays was against Tyrone in 21 semi and he got injured for extra time.
He has scored at will in huge games against top teams.
Every game he plays the opposition have a plan for him and nearly always two men on him and often 3.
Ive seen great players in the past like Matt Connor Declan Browne but they were marked man to man.
David was a superhuman minor and is the highest scoring minor of all time.
As a senior he has been outstanding and his scoring is off the charts.
As Paul Flynn has said a few times "David Clifford can score 1-9 in a game and wont get motm cos he is judged by different standards.
Onr of the greatest of all time was Peter Canavan and Peter reckons he has never seen the likes of David.
A Dublin poster last year claimed David has never done it on the big days.Thats a laugh.
Its jealousy in my view and most of it comes from.the same area.Tbf old posters like Realdub always spoke highly of David.
David always delivers..He had a quiet day in 23 but still scored 3 points and set up a fab goal and 3 more points. Diarmiid Connlolly (a class player) did nt score in 4 finals.ComO Callaghan did nt score in 23 final.
Many great players have had bad days but David nearly always shines.
Hoganstand forum wont judge David s legacy.History will and it will be very kind to him." Firstly commiserations Mick. By all accounts the Kerry fans were very magmanimous in defeat and that's one of the things that made the aftermath in Croke PARK so special to witness. I can guess that you were the first to shake your neighbours hand and wish them well.
As for DC - Unfortunately he is measured by a different yardstick and that may seem unfair. He is an incredible talent and without doubt he is the best I have seen. Power, balance, athleticism, vision and accuracy all combined in one devastating package. I would pay no heed to the begrudgers. Anybody who cannot see how good he is just does't understand or appreciate football.
Anyway, hope you are well. Sunday was a magical day in many ways and Kerry were part of that- albeit not in the way you may have wanted. Anyway, Kerry will be marching up the Hogan again in the not too distant future.
avonali (National) - 29/07/2026 20:29:13
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Galway Football thread - 3 Like(s)
Best of luck to the Galway ladies at the weekend! A Connacht double!!!
Mayonmylifetime (National) - 29/07/2026 23:34:58
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David Clifford The Goat - 3 Like(s)
Replying To Seanfan: "101 points from play from 98 shots in the Championship (s).
Not bad" That stat is insane if true.
Seniorleague (National) - 29/07/2026 22:20:07
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David Clifford The Goat - 3 Like(s)
Replying To Fionn: "Also a club game for a non senior club.
You are not comparing like with like.
Con has won a Senior All Ireland Club winners medal in Both codes.
Different gravy." Well let's compare like for like.
The general consensus was that both Clifford and Con had "quiet" games in their semi final a couple of weeks. Agreed?
Con returned 0-2(tp) while Clifford notched 1-5.
peiledoir20 (National) - 29/07/2026 22:13:37
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David Clifford The Goat - 2 Like(s)
Replying To TrueBlue35: "Question for your Barney - would you trust David in particular to drag you out of a deep hole when backs are really against the wall? Genuine question so no right or wrong answer!
I know when we were struggling over the years in big games then its in those moments that the best of the best come to the fore i.e. think James McCarthy simply refusing to lie down in a few massive games over the years. I think Paudie has shown more of those never say die qualities than David and again last Sunday. That's why the "GOAT" conversation isn't as cut and dried in my mind compared to a lot of peoples. He undoubtedly has the skill level to eclipse a lot of what we have seen over the years but those other less tangible qualities in terms of leadership and resilience I'm just not sure he is at that elite 1% level...yet." I would if he was surrounded by Connolly, Kilkenny, the Brogans, Con, Fenton etc, etc! Or indeed by the Gooch, Declan O'Sullivan, Star and the boys.
My point is that is he outstanding on what minus himself and Paudie C is a very average team that would not have won either All Ireland without them. Which is not true of better Kerry teams or better Dublin teams who survived big injury and other losses because they had better players.
DC is undoubtedly up there with the greats and his performance was surely among the 3/4 best of any player on Sunday.
BarneyGrant (National) - 29/07/2026 16:00:19
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David Clifford The Goat - 2 Like(s)
Replying To brayballer: "I think your dislike of Kerry is tainting your vision a little Fionn.Con is a great player but nearly every former great and pundits from outside Kerry reckon young Clifford is the best they seen and all say he is the best right now by a country mile.He has done things that even Dermo could nt do.Speaking of Dermo.Dermo thinks same and I think Dermo was better than Con.Young Cliffords scoring is off the charts." Clifford has incredible atheticsm etc. but I think what makes him stand out is his temperament. Take his goal on Sunday. Look at the array of skills need to execute that.- strength, power speed balance etc. Think of his ability with 2 pointers. But his greatest asset is his mental toughness and I think its this quality that separates him from the others. Has any single player in the history of IC football made such a contribution to his team? I'm not saying that Kerrynis a one man team but without Clifford they are undoubtedly a less fearsome prospect. I'll say it again: he is the best I've seen
avonali (National) - 30/07/2026 12:52:07
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David Clifford The Goat - 2 Like(s)
In last years final David Clifford scored 9 points from play, and still didn't get motm. There's never been a player b4, or will be in the future who put up such a crazy score in an all Ireland final but didn't get motm.
Canavan got 11 or 12 in 1995 but only one of those were from play.
The Dublin poster questioning his workrate is nitpicking, every player has their strength and weaknesses. Jack o Connor doesn't want his marquee forward out around the 65 .
As it happens he actually won the last kick out against Tyrone when kerry were under pressure.
richiepmurphy (National) - 30/07/2026 12:40:14
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David Clifford The Goat - 2 Like(s)
Replying To Fionn: "Look everyone is going to be defensive and protective of their own county and club, and players from their own county and club. It is only natural.
For me the King Con is better than King David.
And Prince Kobe has the potential to be better than both.
My personal view on rating how good a player is his ability, skill, scoring, creativity, defensive attributes, team work and workrate.
For me overall Con is better.
Add to that what Con has achieved in Both codes.
Phenomenal.
DC is one of the best forwards of all time.
Better than Con in the scoring charts for sure.
But the GOAT - nope.
Maybe I am biased but that is my opinion." I think your dislike of Kerry is tainting your vision a little Fionn.Con is a great player but nearly every former great and pundits from outside Kerry reckon young Clifford is the best they seen and all say he is the best right now by a country mile.He has done things that even Dermo could nt do.Speaking of Dermo.Dermo thinks same and I think Dermo was better than Con.Young Cliffords scoring is off the charts.
brayballer (National) - 30/07/2026 11:16:48
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David Clifford The Goat - 2 Like(s)
Replying To TheUsername: "Id honestly prefer 6 scoring forwards playing with variance then doing what Kerry do or what Clifford brings.
As nice as it is to watch and as good as he is at it, its telegraphed and one dimensional on a team, over all i think its undermining.
From that point of view i wouldn't have him in the conversation.
Good player though." So because the other kerry forwards don't contribute enough, that means Clifford is not one of the best?
Ok im sure that sounds logical to you?!!!
richiepmurphy (National) - 30/07/2026 11:07:10
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Roscommon GAA thread - 2 Like(s)
Forget about the past and look to the future as you have the potential! Beating Galway, Mayo or both should not be the sum of all your ambitions! Thank you to the many Roscommon posts for their good wishes. Maigh Eo go brath.
Mayonmylifetime (National) - 29/07/2026 23:43:20
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Limerick & Kerry For The Double - 2 Like(s)
Replying To Fionn: "Maybe their 40th is not far away, and those t-shirts can be updated, but…. as I already said, as a friend of mine from Galway messaged me - "this Kerry team will now always be remembered as the team that lost an All Ireland Final to Mayo…"." Galways championship record against Kerry is atrocious, as was Dublins before the GAA stepped in (wink wink).
Your Galway friend I promise would gladly take 39 all Ireland titles if it meant being the team who lost to Mayo in an All-Ireland final.
Seniorleague (National) - 29/07/2026 16:25:24
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David Clifford The Goat - 2 Like(s)
Replying To brayballer: "Who is so Fionn? I have nt seen a better baller.I wish he was a Dub.I ve me him and he is a sound bloke.Most of the great reckon he is the best and hard to argue with it.Barney hit nail on head,Kerry without the brothers Clifford are very ordinary.
I went to see him in a club match a few years ago with a Kerry mate and I thought I was seen things magical.Met him after the game after he spent about an hour signing jersey and doin selfies.A different man off the pitch and a big man.Very friendly and down to earth." Look everyone is going to be defensive and protective of their own county and club, and players from their own county and club. It is only natural.
For me the King Con is better than King David.
And Prince Kobe has the potential to be better than both.
My personal view on rating how good a player is his ability, skill, scoring, creativity, defensive attributes, team work and workrate.
For me overall Con is better.
Add to that what Con has achieved in Both codes.
Phenomenal.
DC is one of the best forwards of all time.
Better than Con in the scoring charts for sure.
But the GOAT - nope.
Maybe I am biased but that is my opinion.
Fionn (National) - 29/07/2026 19:27:41
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Mayo GAA Thread - 1 Like(s)
Sincere congrats to our neighbours. As deep as the rivalry is, I take my hat off, that was exceptional. We can learn a lot from ye!
You played football the way it was meant to be played - fearless, stylish, determined.
Nothing exemplified this more than ROD - what a warrior. He looked like a man possessed running around Croker
I'm delighted for the people of Mayo - we all have many relations across the border and to see how much this means to them brings a tear to my eye, a very proud football county
I'm already looking forward to Connacht next year - a rising tide lifts all boats...
tribesman123 (National) - 30/07/2026 13:31:47
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Galway Football thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Mayonmylifetime: "Best of luck to the Galway ladies at the weekend! A Connacht double!!!" Thanks for the good wishes. Mayo did Connacht proud and to beat Kerry in AI final is some achievement. I'm sure your stylish play and overall positivity will help all west of Ireland teams into the future. We can now dream too. Enjoy the celebrations
Really (National) - 30/07/2026 13:28:14
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Mayo All Ireland Champions 2026! - 1 Like(s)
Had a quick look on PP for 2027 - not really sure how we are rated as second favourites.
Kerry 15/8
Donegal 5/1
Mayo 7/1
Armagh 8/1
Dublin 10/1
Galway 10/1
Tyrone 10/1
Lockjaw (National) - 29/07/2026 15:57:05
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David Clifford The Goat - 1 Like(s)
Replying To BarneyGrant: "I would if he was surrounded by Connolly, Kilkenny, the Brogans, Con, Fenton etc, etc! Or indeed by the Gooch, Declan O'Sullivan, Star and the boys.
My point is that is he outstanding on what minus himself and Paudie C is a very average team that would not have won either All Ireland without them. Which is not true of better Kerry teams or better Dublin teams who survived big injury and other losses because they had better players.
DC is undoubtedly up there with the greats and his performance was surely among the 3/4 best of any player on Sunday." Definitely up there with the greats but some from his neck of the woods have a chip on their shoulder about him…! . Every team would want him, But….
This topic is about him being the GOAT.
He is Not.
Fionn (National) - 29/07/2026 17:01:25
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David Clifford The Goat - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Fionn: "Con has been injured all season.
Look how well those Kerry players returning from injury fared in the final. Not good at all.
So those games are not like for like…!
As an all rounder player Con is better.
He can play in multiple positions and more importantly tracks back when needed.
Anyway, this argument could go on forever.
I stand by my opinion.
Others will stand by theirs.
Both players are phenomenal but I prefer Con." He tore Galway asunder in the game before, convenient that injury didn't come into it then?
You have your opinion but it's clearly biased. Mine and those outside of Dublin and Kerry is unbiased.
In fact, I would agree with your county man above that Connolly was better than Con.
peiledoir20 (National) - 30/07/2026 11:54:19
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