Clifford: The longer I play, the more you understand how hard it is to win All-Ireland

DAVID CLIFFORD says it's been "a very fast" eight years with Kerry - and he still feels like he's 21 or 22.

- BY KARL O'KANE

The double Footballer of the Year - who looks set to collect the award for a record third time - is still just 26 years of age.

This summer he collected his second All-Ireland senior medal, to go with Kerry's 2022 victory over Galway.

That came in his fifth season with the county, having debuted all the way back in 2018, straight out of minors.

Clifford says he found this year's All-Ireland victory more enjoyable than 2022 - and that the new rules played a big role to play in that.

"I think the first one (All-Ireland) was probably a lot of relief, because you hadn't won one," he said.

"Personally, I think I enjoyed this one a lot more. There was a lot more joy and a lot more fun associated with it.

"Obviously it (new rules) made a massive difference. The way the game had gone in the last few years, it became hard to get space and there weren't many kick pass plays.

"You were trying to pick your way around it and at the time maybe you didn't realise how hard it was, but when you see the new game now, it's made a huge difference.

"The three-up and the fact that you have bodies in the top half of the pitch when you turn over a ball - that you're able to kick-pass. We would have felt that would have suited us.