Michael Darragh Macauley: Dublin lads will relish David Clifford assignment

The expectation that Sunday's Dublin-Kerry All-Ireland final will be close is shared by most observers, with how the Dubs deal with the mercurial talent that is David Clifford key in deciding where Sam Maguire rests over the winter.

Of course other battles across the pitch will also have a bearing, such as the Brian Howard v Jack Barry collision in midfield and how tight the respective defences will be.

But back to the youngest Clifford brother. He again was at his storming best when kicking nine points against Derry in the semi-final.

In the lead up to this final, Dublin boss Dessie Farrell admitted that the Fossa clubman's ability has 'kept us up late at night'. A case of all hands on deck it would seem, according to the Farrell when he spoke to RTÉ Sport.

"I think ultimately it's going to be a team effort. It will require a great team defence. He is a unique player, a special talent, and we're going to do our best to rise to that challenge."

Former Dublin star Michael Darragh MacAuley played against Clifford towards the end of his career and views him as a "phenomenal" player, yet he believes that Dublin players will champing at the bit to silence the 24-year-old on Gaelic football's biggest day.

Speaking in his role as an Allianz ambassador ahead of Sunday's showdown, MacAuley said: "There is a hunger to mark David Clifford within the Dublin team. Now if I was there I'd run a mile because he'd murder me. He's unbelievable to watch.

"I'd regularly be marking a big player on the opposition team and I'd love if the player had a particularly good game the day before I played him – a semi-final before a final. You'd like to think that might take the edge off him. You like to hear people patting the opposition on the back just