Kerry GAA is in mourning today as Ellen Clifford, mother to Kerry footballers David and Paudie Clifford, has sadly passed away.
Mrs Clifford was originally from Ballymacelligott, outside Tralee, and she grew in a family that was hugely involved in the Ballymac GAA club. She was mother to three children -sons Paudie and David and daughter Shelly. Her husband Dermot is a former chairman of the Fossa club.
Her passing was first reported by the Irish Examiner.
Ramsey Cardy of Sportsfile captured some wonderful photos of the Clifford family after Kerry won the All-Ireland final last July in Croke Park, like the one above
Speaking after being named Footballer of the Year in 2022, David Clifford spoke about how much it meant to him to have that moment with his entire family.
Yeah, we met them straight after. It was great to see them like that because it obviously means a lot to us but it probably means an awful lot more to them. Because there's a lot of pressure on them. We're kept away from it by being in a bubble at times, especially on a match day, whereas they're in amongst the crowd and know what people are saying about the team and about us as individuals. So I'd say it was a massive moment for them and it was great to be able to enjoy it with them.
The Clifford brothers were both named to start for Kerry tomorrow in the Munster final against Clare.
