“She would have completed every little thing for us,” he revealed.
Clifford made historical past tonight when topped PwC GAA/GPA Footballer of the 12 months for 2023, making Kerry’s prolific talisman the primary participant to win the accolade two years operating.
However in some ways it has been a profoundly troublesome yr for the Fossa clubman, not simply on the pitch the place Kerry narrowly didn’t defend their All-Eire SFC crown in opposition to Dublin within the ultimate final July, however much more so away from the general public glare.
Their mom handed away final Could – after a protracted battle with sickness – on the eve of the Munster ultimate in opposition to Clare. Her two sons bravely took to the sphere in Limerick that Sunday to honour her reminiscence in the easiest way attainable, David taking pictures 2-6 in a Man of the Match efficiency whereas Paudie chipped in with a aim.
The 2 siblings have been tonight introduced as All-Stars for the third consecutive season – for David it was a fifth gong in simply his sixth yr as a senior Kerry footballer.
And in an interview to mark his newest Footballer of the 12 months award, as voted by his taking part in friends, the 24-year-old spoke of how Ellen remains to be in his ideas each time he pulls on a Fossa, East Kerry or Kerry jersey.
“Completely, completely,” he careworn. “It has been a really powerful yr and it nonetheless is hard, however I suppose you are simply making an attempt to exit and provides your greatest and clearly for Kerry as a result of that is what she would have needed us to do.”
Ellen was a “large” affect however not in an intrusive approach. “She would have completed every little thing for us. When it comes to recommendation or speaking about matches, that wasn’t her factor,” he outlined.
“She did not wish to be that sort of a mom. I suppose it was the assist she all the time gave us that was the large factor. It doesn’t matter what we have been doing, she would have all the time backed us. Even when have been flawed in several conditions, we have been all the time proper in her eyes. So it was all the time nice to have that form of assist.”
Clifford additionally acknowledged how his Kerry teammates supplied such a protecting defend on the day of the Munster ultimate.
“Look, we all the time knew we have been a really shut group with Kerry,” he mirrored, “however simply seeing the assist that the lads gave us on that day and since that day, it is very particular and it makes us really feel very related to the group. I am vastly grateful to all of the lads and to Jack (O’Connor) and all of the administration too.”
For Clifford, being voted Footballer of the 12 months – once more – was a “good honour” however not one that may eradicate the ache of final July.
“Finally, we did not win the All-Eire and that is all that may stand out from 2023. But it surely’s one thing that is in all probability good for your loved ones and one thing to possibly look again on your self on the finish of your profession,” he urged.
“I would not say the frustration (of shedding to Dublin) goes away, it is simply that different issues come to the forefront corresponding to membership video games and work that takes your thoughts off it.
“However, look, various things occur all through the course of per week and also you sort of get drawn again to it. So, in the end the frustration remains to be there and doubtless will all the time be there. However there’s additionally a powerful feeling of desirous to get again at it and proper the wrongs of this yr.”
Kerry have had a “couple of conferences” because the All-Eire, however it should solely be after they return as a gaggle for pre-season that they’ll “actually attempt to handle and work on issues we have to.”
Clifford additionally alluded to his personal ultimate frustration. He kicked three factors together with two from play in opposition to Dublin whereas organising Paul Geaney for a primary half aim by way of a elegant defence-splitting help – however in the end his day can be remembered for a succession of late misses.
“Should you ask any sportsperson about any a part of their profession, they’re going to in all probability bear in mind the losses extra,” he identified.
“When you do not carry out in a recreation or miss possibilities because it was in my case there’s plenty of frustration with it, what I imply? A whole lot of frustration and there is nothing you may actually do about it aside from maintain working at it and maintain working towards and attempt to be higher the following day.
“The wonderful thing about soccer is that there is all the time one other recreation, there’s all the time a membership recreation, so that you in all probability get loads of alternatives to work on it these video games and in membership coaching. So, yeah, it is in all probability how I bought again at it. I simply bought again all the way down to membership coaching and taking part in the membership video games.”
On that entrance, the 2 Cliffords face into an enormous weekend, coming down from Friday night time’s All-Star excessive within the RDS and instantly focussing in on Sunday’s Kerry intermediate soccer ultimate at Austin Stack Park, the place Fossa tackle Milltown/Castlemaine.
Past that, the 2024 season is looming on the horizon, Kerry and the Cliffords consumed by ideas of redemption.
“Everybody wants a down-time within the low season and desires a little bit of a break free from the entire thing,” he concluded, “however I suppose we’re actually, actually anxious now to get going and have a great full pre-season and hit the bottom operating subsequent yr.”