DAVID'S LEADING FROM THE FRONT

EXCEPTIONAL Curbing David Clifford's influence is the ultimate test for McGuinness and Donegal

- BY PADDY TIERNEY

DAVID Clifford's performances this summer has made him the odds-on favourite to be crowned Footballer of the Year for a third time.

After their semifinal win over Tyrone, Tomás Ó Sé claimed he is the player to come out of Kerry, while former Tyrone star Seán Cavanagh stated Clifford was the best he has ever seen.

When facing the media at their press night ahead of Sunday's final, it wasn't long before Jim McGuinness was asked for his views on Gaelic football's MVP.

In his 2015 memoir 'Until Victory Always', the Donegal boss detailed the lengths he went to studying Stephen Cluxton's kick-outs before their famous semifinal win in 2014.

One can surmise that he has poured over footage of Clifford in recent days and he was effusive in his praise of the Kerry star.