Cliff has that edge to make it

MICHAEL MURPHY believes David Clifford is ready now to make an impact for Kerry.

Earlier this week Kingdom midfielder David Moran said expectations on the 19-year-old were too high after his superb minor performances in the green and gold since 2016.

But Murphy, who himself made his senior Donegal debut in the Mckenna Cup as an 18-year-old, believes the Rossa sensation has an indelible quality that could make a difference.

“He’s 6’3 or 6’4 and aye, you would think he’s ready,” said Murphy. “But you don’t know, at senior level it’s a more aggressive physicality. You have defenders that are just supreme athletes, they’re teak tough and they’re battle-hardened.

“But I think what he has and how the game has gone... it’s gone back a hell of a lot now to teams being at a certain physical level now and players are all at a certain physical level, give or take a few freaks here or there.

“So it’s who has the footballing ability now to work things out and do damage and that’s certainly what he has.”

Murphy acknowledges Kerry have more options at their disposal than Donegal had when he was breaking through, and so they could decide to keep Clifford back until they feel he is mature enough to thrive at senior level.

But he added: “There’s no doubting the quality. He has everything for a big man, the balance he has is surreal so it’s just inevitable that he is going to make it through.”

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