David Clifford became the first person to win back-to-back Footballer of the Year awards at the PwC All-Stars in the RDS on Friday night.
The Kerry talisman picked up the award as well as making it into the All-Star team for the fifth time in his already illustrious career.
Clifford, who is remarkably still only 24, also becomes the first player since Andy Moran in 2017 to win the top gong despite being on the losing side in the All-Ireland final.
⭐️ Congratulations David Clifford - PwC GAA/GPA Football All-Star 2023. 💚💛#WeAreKerry #CiarraíAbú
📸 Maurice Whelan pic.twitter.com/JxpPpb6phO— Kerry GAA (@Kerry_Official) November 17, 2023
His brother Paudie also won his third All-Star last night making it a particularly special occassion for the Clifford family.
It has been a difficult year for them, losing their mother Ellen after a long battle with illness in May.
Both brothers lined out with the Kerry team the day after her passing in the Munster senior football championship final win over Clare as they were eager to honour her.
Speaking to John Harrington of GAA.ie at the All-Stars last night, Clifford said that his mother was always in his thoughts when he was on the pitch these days.
David Clifford pays emotional tribute to late mother Ellen
"It's been a very tough year and it still is tough but I suppose you're just trying to go out and give your best and obviously for Kerry because that's what she would have wanted us to do," he said.
"She would have done everything for us. In terms of advice or talking about matches, that wasn't her thing. She always knew that we didn't want that from her and she didn't want to be that kind of a mother. I suppose it was the support she always gave us that was the big thing.
"No matter what we were doing, she would have always backed us. Even if were wrong in different situations, we were always right in her eyes. So it was always great to have that sort of support."
Clifford was asked about how much the support from his teammates meant to him particularly the day of the Munster final victory.
"We always knew we were a very close group with Kerry but just seeing the support that the lads gave us on that day and since that day, it's very special and it makes us feel very connected to the group. I'm vastly thankful to all the lads and to Jack and all the management too."
Both Clifford brothers featured on the East Kerry team that recently won the Kerry County Senior Football Championship final and this weekend their club Fossa will be in action in the Kerry Intermediate final as they look to continue their meteoric rise.
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