David Clifford says he is "personally enjoying" the GAA's new split season.
Following Kerry's All-Ireland final victory over Galway, the Footballer of the Year nominee returned to playing with his club Fossa in the Kingdom's Premier Junior Championship.
Fossa will play Ardfert in the competition's semi-final later in the year as the Kerry senior, intermediate, premier junior and junior club championships have been put on hold while the Senior Football Championship is played.
Clifford has been lining out with the East Kerry divisional team in the county championship. At the weekend, they made it three wins from three in the group stages as they defeated Dingle by five points.
"You get to put all your focus with Kerry for the start of the year, then you get to park that, and for us put your lot in with two club teams," Clifford told Tim Moynihan after the game.
"I'm enjoying it. I suppose a bit of freedom in the summer, and stuff like that is enjoyable too. Overall, I think it's very well received among the players."
East Kerry will face Kenmare Shamrocks in the quarter-finals on October 9th. Feale Rangers play Austin Stacks, Mid Kerry play Templenoe, and Dr Crokes face Dingle in the other last-eight games.
Clifford said that though they defeated Dingle at the weekend, he has a feeling they have the potential to venture deep into the championship. The likely addition of AFL player Mark O'Connor, who won a Premiership title with Geelong Cats at the weekend, to the Dingle equation will also make them more potent.
10 September 2022; David Clifford of East Kerry, 3rd from left, looks on from the substitutes bench during the Kerry County Senior Football Championship Round 1 match between Kerins O'Rahilly's and East Kerry at Austin Stack Park in Tralee, Kerry. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
"Well done to Mark on getting their win," Clifford said.
"He'll be a massive addition for Dingle. I don't think we'll be too pleased with that, but sure that's the way it goes!
"They've been flying this year in the county championship. We knew it was going to be tough coming back here. It's great to get over the line, and get top spot.
"The rest of the groups are fairly even. Whether you're playing a first or second-placed team, it's going to be tough either way. You'd be expecting to see Dingle later on again in the year.
"We have to really use the training sessions that we have because we haven't been together that often. It's a great bunch of players, very exciting to come in and see that level of player, and to see every player putting it in is great.
"The club teams are together a lot more. They probably have an advantage that way. We have a bit of squad depth, which is a help."
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