David Clifford has thrown his backing behind the GAA split season, after a successful return to club action with Fossa.
2023 is the second year of the GAA calendar being split into county and club commitments for players, and Clifford reckons that the new system is working well so far.
Just thirteen days after his Kerry side lost to Dublin in the All-Ireland Final, Clifford was back in the black and red of Fossa alongside his brother Paudie. The reigning Junior All-Ireland champions have taken the move to intermediate in stride, beating An Gaeltacht on the first day out before defeating St. Mary's of Cahirsiveen yesterday.
David Clifford contributed 0-07 in both victories, as the club made it two wins from two in the Kerry Intermediate Championship.
After the game, the 2022 Footballer of the Year spoke about how he has been settling into the split season over the past two years.
"It was our first ever home Intermediate game for the club, so it was a big occasion" 🙌
David, Paudie, and father Dermot Clifford all reflect on @FossaGaa's second win in the @Kerry_Official IFC 🔥
Watch back the Kerry Football Championship on https://t.co/yMkMTpFmTc 🔗 pic.twitter.com/FDRoUYRjk6— Clubber (@clubber) August 20, 2023
David Clifford gives his thoughts on GAA split season
"Fossa are very reasonable with myself and Paudie," the 24-year-old told Clubber. "They let us guide the amount of sessions we do. Any players wants games, so when you're playing week-to-week you might only be doing one session in between and maybe a bit of a kickaround.
"It might be a Tuesday night where you run through a bit of tackles and get a bit of work done and then maybe you'd have a kickaround on Friday, depending.
"It's not too taxing. That's the beauty of the split season. You can put all your eggs in the county basket while that's on and now we can put all our eggs in the club basket.
"It's brilliant to be back with the club. We obviously really enjoyed the inter-county season but the structure of the split season really allows us to put everything we have into either team."
Clifford was instrumental in Fossa's Junior All-Ireland success last autumn and winter, after coming of the back of helping Kerry win the All-Ireland Football Championship for the first time since 2014.
He now has one of the most powerful voices among players, so the GAA are sure to delight in hearing his comments.
