Clifford keen to play for Ireland

DAVID Clifford is keen on playing International Rules football for Ireland IF the series resumes this autumn, which seems likely.

- Garry DOYLE

But he could never follow in pal Mark O’Connor’s footsteps and swap life on the GAA fields for Aussie Rules.

“I'd definitely be delighted to be part of the International Rules as I just remember talking to Seamus Moynihan about it and how he saw it as one of the highlights of his career,” said Clifford. “So getting to experience that would be great and it would be a bit of a bonus if it was a couple of weeks in Australia.”

As for a permanent switch to Oz, Clifford isn’t keen — even though clubs such as Geelong were keen on him back in 2017 when he switched from minor to senior football.

“A lot of the stuff that was written about me wasn’t actually true,” he added. “I never went to the combines or anything.

Meeting

“There were a couple of conversations I had with a few different people but in fairness, I was never approached until probably after that minor year.

“But by then I was called in with Kerry (seniors), so I really just wasn’t replying to the people (in AFL clubs).