David Clifford: Hurt from last year drove East Kerry on

David Clifford says the hurt of losing in the first round of last year's Kerry SFC drove East Kerry on to reclaim the title yesterday.

Clifford, fresh from being crowned footballer of the year on Friday night, put in another scintillating performance as he notched 1-09 at Austin Stack Park.

It helped to secure a third title for the team in four seasons.

"We were lucky to do two in a row in '19 and '20, [but] that hurt a lot after that defeat to Stacks last year," he told RTÉ's Sunday Sport afterwards.

"We had to give Mid Kerry the respect. We played them in 2020 and it was actually a similar game. It was tight in the first half. I suppose we always felt if we could stretch the game a small bit that chances would open up and thankfully that is the way it happened.

"It was well worth the wait now. We got over the line and we'll enjoy this even more now."

The victory is yet another medal in a hugely successful season for the 23-year-old, who claimed Aliianz Football League, Munster SFC and All-Ireland winners medals with Kerry.

But the Fossa man says it hasn't dampened his desire to win more.

"100%. We're still hungry for more with Fossa, East Kerry and especially Kerry. We're looking forward to keeping momentum going."