The footballer is one of the most well-known GAA names in the country since his debut in 2018
11:40, 12 Jul 2026Updated 11:46, 12 Jul 2026
David Clifford with his son Óigí(Image: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan)
Since his senior football debut in 2018, David Clifford has become one of the most recognisable GAA players in the country. The Kerry footballer has celebrated two All-Ireland Football Championships with the Kingdom and holds six All-Star awards.
He’s a household name for GAA fans, but off the pitch, he’s known as a family man and a respected teacher helping shape the next generation.
Since becoming a dad in 2021, the younger Clifford brother is now inspiring his son in sport.
Family life
David is a proud Kerryman, having been born in Tralee in 1999. The 27-year old isn’t the only GAA star in the family. His brother Paudie, 28, also lines-out as a forward for the Kingdom. The siblings have enjoyed both club and county wins playing side by side.
He has been with long-term partner Shauna since the pair met at teenager, RSVP reports. The couple welcomed their first child, a son, on August 29, 2021. Their son Óigí, who is nearly 5, was born just days after Kerry’s heartbreak to Tyrone in the All-Ireland semi-final.
Kerry’s David Clifford with partner Shauna O’Connor(Image: ©INPHO/Tom Maher)
Little Óigí is already a big GAA fan and loves watching his dad. David told RSVP Magazine last year how his boy has: “gone mad for sport at the moment.”
“He’s wearing jerseys, and he loves it. But he’s not too happy with me going out training because I’m going to be gone for a couple of hours. He loves coming along with me to watch the Fossa games at the weekend. He’s great craic.”
David added that everything has fallen into place for him in both his personal and professional life. He joked: “Maybe it will all turn upside down at some stage”
“It’s fine, that’s just the way things have happened for me. Things fell into place nicely. I’m far from perfect, let that be known. I enjoy life, and I feel like I have a great life. I’m very lucky with the people I have around me.”
Day job
Away from the pitch, David works as a secondary school teacher. He currently works at St Brendan’s College in Killarney, where he is a PE teacher.
He graduated from the Institute of Technology in Tralee with a degree in health and leisure, before completing a Master’s in PE teaching at the University of Limerick.
Football career
David made his senior debut at 18 years old during the 2018 National Football League. He plays in the corner-forward or full-forward position. His impressive performances earned him his first Munster medal and his first All-Star. He was also named as the GAA/GPA Young Footballer of the Year.
He is a two-time Senior Football All-Ireland winner, a six-time GAA/GPA All-Star and has won the GAA/GPA Footballer of the Year a record three times.
As well as playing for Kerry, he plays at club level for Fossa and at divisional level for East Kerry.