David Clifford and the superstar effect in the GAA

Analysis: the Kerryman is the latest manifestation of how the superstar effect plays out in Gaelic football

Being the best in a field makes you immensely impressive to the outside world. When a relatively small number of people dominate the activities in which they engage, it is called the superstar effect. Gaelic football has had the superstar effect play out with many individuals: Cavan's John Joe Reilly, Dublin's Kevin Heffernan and now, Kerry and Fossa's David Clifford.

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From RTÉ Radio 1's Drivetime, journalist and activist Joanne O'Riordan discusses the David Clifford effect

What exactly makes a player have the superstar effect? Even in team sports like Gaelic football, individuals are prominent. From the beginning of the All-Ireland championship in 1887, acknowledgement of the distinctiveness of individual players has been synonymous with the development of Gaelic football. Matches and seasons are reviewed and evaluated to decide which player performed best and players are interviewed to obtain their views on the game. The media construct sports superstars and effectively place them on a pedestal in an attempt to distinguish them from other individuals.

Because Gaelic games are based in Ireland and have limited global impact (hard as it may be to believe for many of us sometimes), GAA players can experience a higher level of awareness in Ireland than other sports people who compete in international sports such as soccer, athletics or golf. However, being a