RULING THE ROOST

David's finding it a whole new ball game now

- BY GARRY DOYLE

NEW rules, new lease of life for David Clifford. David's finding it a whole new ball game now

The most marked man to step on to a GAA pitch since Muhammad Ali beat up Al Blue Lewis at Croke Park, Clifford is thriving under Jim Gavin's rules revolution.

The blanket defence is gone from foot-ball. And so is the kind of attention forwards like Clifford used to receive.

He is more prolific than ever, getting 3-22 in his five league games in 2025, 2-14 in his two championship matches.

And he knows why.

Clifford said: "The fact that it's a full new rule set means it's more enjoyable as a player to be involved in tactical meetings where we are trying to figure out new things.

"Not just that but away from training, you're watching other games with a bit more interest because you're wondering what they were doing to exploit the new rules.

"It's nearly like learning a new sport in one sense because we got to a stage over the past few years where every team was mirroring each other. So your analysis for every game was the same, really.

"In fairness to the FRC, they have done a brilliant job — truly brilliant."