JOE BROLLY: Superman versus the rest

NORMAN Mailer wrote: “There is always a shock in seeing him again. Not live as in television but standing before you, looking his best. Women draw an audible breath. Men look down. They are reminded again of their lack of worth.” He was talking about Muhammad Ali, not David Clifford.

Kerry’s opponents start with a handicap of -9, David’s average score. They need to get nine points simply to draw level.

In atrocious weather, in a ferociously competitive game with some of the best tackling I have ever seen, he rose above the throng again, reminding me of one of those compilation videos of Maradona put to music.

Galway started with a sweeper in front of him but it made no difference to the handicap.

He began here with a series of wonderful touches (including a flick up on the run as he slid through the muck). By the 21st minute, Galway were only three points behind playing against a monstrous gale. Then, between the 22nd and 27th minute, David scored 1-4 from play.

The goal was an example to every forward. In the sixth minute of the 1968 All-Ireland final between Kerry and Down, Peter Rooney launched a huge shot for a point high towards the Kerry goal. Sean O’Neill sprinted after it, never taking his eye off it. The ball dropped down from the top of the post and O’Neill palmed it to the net as the Kerry defenders stood there like cows looking over a five-bar gate.

Clifford never switches off. His excellence is relentless. When a high ball was kicked in towards the Galway square, Eamonn McGrath their ’keeper came to take the high catch, Seán Kelly looked up at the ball and Clifford circled around on the off chance McGrath would drop it. When he did, David carefully pushed it to the net two-handed.

In slow motion it was a ballet. Rob Finnerty has been Galway’s best forward so far in the league. In horrible conditions, Clifford scored 1-6 from play. Rob didn’t score at all. Seán O’Shea is Kerry’s second best forward, an elite match winner. He did not score from play. This emphasises the difference between superman and the rest.

Before the game, Joanne Cantwell said: “What do you make of Eamonn McGrath making his league debut for Galway, Paul?” “I think it’s interesting,” said Paul, which was more than could be said for the punditry.

“It’s going to be interesting alright, that’s for sure,” said Joanne. “It will be interesting,” said Gooch. It is not unfair to say it was a disaster for Eamonn, not helped by the way the panel patronised him at half time and after the game.

“An eventful debut” was how it was put. His kick out was butchered. He kicked two 45s badly wide. He gave a four-foot handpass to the Galway corner-back, putting him in dire trouble, leading to the interception that caused the first Kerry goal.

He dropped the ball to Clifford for Kerry’s second goal. Eventful?

By half time it was 2-10 to 1-3 and even with Matthew Tierney playing brilliantly and the wind, it looked impossible for Galway. By the 44th minute Kerry were 11 up but the funny thing was that Galway never wilted.

They pressed Kerry high and tackled fiercely and kept going even as the world seemed to be against them.

In the 56th minute, Matthew Tierney scored a massive two-point free. From the kick-out, Dan O’Flaherty kicked a point. A minute later, Cian Hernon, who by this stage was marking Clifford, drove up field and scored a terrific, unlikely goal, placing it deftly in the far corner through a crowded square. Suddenly, the atmosphere was electric.

Clifford scored another superb solo point but it did not stem the tide. Now, it was Galway butchering the Kerry kick-out.

When Joe O’Connor dithered over a free then kicked it straight to a Galway man, Galway swept upfield on the counter and Dylan McHugh fisted a point to leave Galway a point behind.

Dylan Casey got one for Kerry to put them two up, but in the Gavin era, two is never enough. Galway won the kick-out and Shane McGrath scored the two-pointer.

Amidst unbearable excitement, Kerry won their kick-out and when the ball went to Clifford we thought that was the end of that. However, he was forced to lay it off to Cathal Brosnan, a lesser mortal, and Cathal kicked the last kick of the game wide.

Galway not only covered the Clifford handicap, but showed us that there is something special deep down in this group. Thanks to both teams for a brilliant game. And a special thank you to Jim Gavin.