Paudie Clifford mesmerises Monaghan defence with brilliant individual goal

He’s not just known for his speeches you know.

Paudie Clifford scored a brilliant individual goal against Monaghan after going on a mazy run that started from his own half and ended with a smart finish.

Kerry slept walked through a very leaky Monaghan to seal their first win on the National League in 2023, and they did it with David Clifford sitting in the stands.

The game started even enough with Monaghan staying in touching distance, particularly through Conor McCarthy who looked very sharp.

The All-Ireland champions were always in control however, with Darragh Roche, Donal O’Sullivan, and Tony Brosnan finding it almost too easy too find space behind the Farney defence.

Soon the gap began to open up, and Kerry were able to run the subs, bringing the likes of Stefan Okunbor, Adrian Spillane, and Paudie Clifford on from the bench. 

Clifford of course is just fresh from his All-Ireland heroics with his, and although brother David was in the stands watching, the eldest brother of the two was obviously deemed fit to come back.

It didn’t take long for him to make an impact, and in a moment of individual brilliance combined with some fo the most shocking defending you will see, he score a fantastic goal after holding onto the ball for what seemed like forever.

The All-Star probably couldn’t believe what he was seeing when he picked up the ball in his own half, and looked up to find that absolutely no one went near him.

The Farney men must have thought that social distancing laws still apply because nobody went near him as he continued to drive towards the goal.

A great run is followed by an even greater finish by Paudie Clifford who's only been on the pitch a matter of minutes. pic.twitter.com/cIYLbsAqtm

— The GAA (@officialgaa) February 5, 2023

You could almost see him change his mind two or three times before deciding to take it on himself and during it into the back of the net.

Things went from bad to worse when Ryan O’Toole received a straight red following a high challenge on Okunbor, and it was simply a matter of seeing it out for the home side.

O’Sullivan then drove the final nail in the coffin and sealed a very convincing win for the Munster side with the game finishing 3-16 to 0-14.

Related links:

• Paudie Clifford had the only response needed after being cleaned out by vicious elbow
• McCarthy and Clifford both lose the run of themselves in Hogan Stand speech
• “I certainly won’t be holding any grudges with them fellas and I hope they’ll do the same – Clifford shows class after late junior final drama