Flynn contacted Clifford over controversial 'smoked' tweet after All-Ireland final
December 01, 2023
GPA CEO Paul Flynn speaking at the GPA Reps Day
Former Dublin star Paul Flynn has revealed that he contacted Kerry’s David Clifford over the controversial tweet he posted after this year’s All-Ireland SFC final.
Late July saw the Dubs defeat Kerry by 1-15 to 1-13 at Croke Park, where the Kingdom’s talisman was held to just two points from play over the 70 minutes by marker Mick Fitzsimons.
The following tweets went out from Flynn in the days that followed the final and stirred up some controversy:
Clifford was smoked against Dublin and poor against Tyrone yet still ppl think he is footballer of the year. Not for me - James Mc led Dublin to glory without having his best day yest! He’s a born winner and leader.
— Paul Flynn (@Flinto23) July 31, 2023
Bit of controversy re my last tweet;
— Paul Flynn (@Flinto23) August 1, 2023
Do I think Mick Fitz got the better of Clifford? Yes
Do I think Clifford was POTY? No
Do I think he’s one of best in our generation? Yes - and top ambassador for game.
No more midnight tweets 🤐 https://t.co/sGsPrTpo0f
Incidentally, Clifford has since been named this year’s ‘Footballer of the Year’ and many have returned the point to Flynn who says that the comments in the tweets were not meant as a slight on him.
Speaking on the Second Captains podcast, the Fingallians clubman revealed that he had contacted the Kerry captain and said that they “cleared the air”.
“I reached out to Clifford anyway. The main thing for me was that I didn't really care what other people thought, I cared that he might see it or whatever. I didn't want that,” said Flynn.
“I reached out to David Clifford and he was dead sound, we cleared the air. I felt good after that, buried it and moved on.
“It was probably the next day. Once that happened, I had put it to bed in my head. I made it clear to him that I made absolutely no disrespect to him and I thought the world of him. Who doesn't?
“All the guys there in The Sunday Game would tell you how much I big him up. Even that (All-Ireland final) day with Gooch, I can't get over the lad.
“It was just me trying to make a case for James McCarthy. I did it the wrong way.”
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