 After not being included on the Cork panel for the 1953 Munster Championship, Clifford was drafted onto the team as a substitute for the 1953 All-Ireland final against Galway.He remained on the bench but ended the game with a winners' medal after the 3-03 to 0-08 victory.Clifford made his senior debut on 15 November 1953 in a 6-08 to 5-06 defeat by Dublin in the second round of the 1953-54 National League.