The performance of David Clifford in Sunday's Allianz League Division One final against Mayo certainly drew plenty of comment.
Kerry star Clifford was the top scorer in the decider, scoring 0-08, with four of those points coming from frees.
Despite Clifford once again dropping an impressive return of scores, Tyrone legend Peter Canavan claimed the corner-forward is no longer the Kingdom's most important player post-match (that honour going to his brother Paudie).
Even more noteworthy were the remarks from Mayo manager Kevin McStay at full-time in Croke Park.
The Mayo boss suggested that Clifford had played a cute game with the referee, engineering fouls from marker Donnacha McHugh.
[Clifford] is a fabulous player, we will all agree on that but if you see the camera angles I will look at Monday and Tuesday from behind, he is so clever at making sure the picture the referee sees is an excellent picture for him.
I want to be careful, I really like him as a player. I think he is a fabulous player in the game but I thought today he got well looked after.
I love him as a player and all that, but Donnacha’s jersey must be resistant to pulling all together, I don't know. That would be my one and I think David Coldrick is obviously a fabulous referee too, but the tackle count, I think it was 13-1 at one stage.
I've said that about David now and you're all going to jump off, that's not what I'm saying. I have huge respect for him, but it has to be a two-way street when these big battles are, he's six foot two or three. Come on, is it a man's game?
Though McStay's admiration for Clifford's footballing ability were clear, they were nonetheless pointed remarks that appeared to accuse the Fossa man of buying fouls from officials.
They are also remarks that have not gone down well with Joe Brolly.
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Joe Brolly responds to Kevin McStay's David Clifford complaints
Taking to Twitter on Tuesday, Joe Brolly issued a pointed response to Kevin McStay's post-match remarks on David Clifford.
Sharing a Sportsfile image from Sunday's league final, which clearly showed Clifford's jersey being pulled by McHugh as the Kerry man fell to the ground, Brolly named McStay in a post twinged with sarcasm.
Another example of Clifford’s jersey deliberately pulling the defender’s hands to win a soft free. People calling Kevin McStay a whinger & excuse merchant need to have a good hard look at themselves. pic.twitter.com/fRu85FYwhl
— Joe Brolly (@JoeBrolly1993) April 1, 2025
"Another example of Clifford’s jersey deliberately pulling the defender’s hands to win a soft free," Brolly said.
"People calling Kevin McStay a whinger & excuse merchant need to have a good hard look at themselves."
No need to read too deeply between the lines to see where Brolly stands on the debate.
Whatever the matter about how the frees were won, it's clear that David Clifford has lost none of his magic touch in converting them.
Kerry look to be a fearful prospect entering the All-Ireland championship. They have a three-week break before they face either Cork or Limerick in the Munster semi-final on April 19.
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