David Clifford cherishes peers' recognition after All-Star Footballer of the Year win

David Clifford feels the sense of appreciation from his fellow players is the most satisfying aspect of winning the 2022 PwC GAA/GPA All-Star Footballer of the Year award.

The Kerry forward was rewarded for a year of individual and collective achievement which saw him win his first All-Ireland senior medal after the Kingdom saw off Galway in July's final.

The 23-year-old now has four All-Stars to his name but this year marks the first time he has gained the top honour in the game.

Speaking to RTÉ Sport as he received the gong at the ceremony in Dublin, Clifford said the recognition of his peers made it extra special.

"It's very satisfying. I suppose the All-Ireland is the big prize you set out to win at the start of the year," he said.

"But when you get nominated for something like the Footballer of the Year, it's nice to go on and win it.

"It's nice to get the recognition from your fellow players too, which adds an awful lot to it."

Clifford said it was an award that will mean much for his club Fossa, where he plays alongside brother and fellow All-Star and All-Ireland winner Paudie.

"With Fossa, it's well known obviously that we're a small club and would have struggled a lot at underage with numbers especially," he said.

"Competing with the Killarney clubs was always tough. But there were a couple of mentors we would have had down through the years who would have been a constant all the way with us. You'd still be meeting them and still be in contact with them and I know it brings them a lot of joy."

While the All-Ireland achievement has sunk in, he felt a sense of "massive relief" on the day itself, having "lost a lot of big games in Croke Park" in previous years.

And he credited increasing levels of resolve for helping Kerry