David Clifford: Kerry forward retains GAA Footballer of the Year title

Kerry full forward David Clifford has retained the GAA Footballer of the Year title, the first to do so in the awards history.

The Kingdom star, who won the award in 2022. was named ahead of Dublin's Brian Fenton and Derry's Brendan Rogers.

Derry were represented in the 2023 All-Stars team with Gareth McKinless, Shane McGuigan and Conor McCluskey named alongside Rogers.

The Oak Leaf county's Ethan Doherty was named Young Footballer of the Year.

The main hurling award went to Limerick's Aaron Gillan, who was named Hurler of the Year for the first time.

The announcement of the award winners, chosen on the basis of a vote by the GPA [Gaelic Players' Association] membership, was made at the All-Star banquet in Dublin on Friday.

Clifford, who was selected as Kerry captain for the 2023 season, was named as man-of-the-match in his side's Munster SFC final win over Clare, scoring 2-6 in a 5-14 to 0-15 victory.

The 24-year-old also played a significant role in their All-Ireland campaign as he contributed 0-5 in the Kingdom's quarter-final victory over Tyrone and produced another man-of-the-match display at the semi-final stage in scoring 0-9 in a 1-17 to 1-15 triumph over Derry.

Dublin proved too strong for Kerry in the end-of-July final, emerging 1-15 to 1-13 victors in the showpiece decider at Croke Park.

Rogers, who was aiming to become the first Derry player to win the top award, played a pivotal role as Derry made the All-Ireland semi-finals and won the Ulster Championship.

The 29-year-old dual-code Oak Leafers star has combined his efforts at county level with contributing to the significant successes achieved by his club Slaughtneil over recent years.

The quartet of Rogers, McKinless, McGuigan and McCluskey follow in the footsteps of Derry team-mates Conor Glass and Chrissy McKaigue, who won All-Stars in 2022.

Doherty, who was nominated for the young footballer of the year award in 2022, beat fellow Derryman Eoin McEvoy and Roscommon goalkeeper Conor Carroll to pick up the 2023 trophy.

Four-in-a-row All-Ireland champions Limerick earned seven awards in the Hurling All-Stars which were announced earlier this week.

Analysis - A gift we should all enjoy

BBC Sport NI's Thomas Niblock

No hurler or footballer has ever retained the GAA's Player of the Year since it's inception in 1995. Until now.

King Henry won three with Kilkenny, but never consecutively. Brian Fenton was going for number three this year.

Clifford's story is remarkable. An All-Ireland title with Kerry and his club Fossa. Five All-Stars and now two-time footballer of the year. And wait, he's only 24 year old.

This year has been tough both on and off the pitch. He lost his mum Ellen, and 24 hours after her death alongside brother Paudie, he played for Kerry in a hugely emotional Munster final which the Kingdom won.

We are looking at the best player of our generation. He's the best player I've ever seen live.

Brian Fenton and Brendan Rogers were worthy shortlist nominees. Two fantastic footballers, and for those who don't know them, two fabulous people.

There will be more nights, more success and more awards for the Kerry captain, but at the GAA/GPA All Stars, David collected his award, said hello and trickled his back down to Kerry.

He has the Kerry intermediate final on Sunday to prepare for so celebrations will be muted tonight... this is just another award, picked by his peers. More lie ahead.

He's a gift we should all enjoy

2023 Football All Star team

Goalkeepers: Stephen Cluxton (Dublin)

Defenders: Conor McCluskey (Derry), Michael Fitzsimons (Dublin), Tom O'Sullivan (Kerry), James McCarthy (Dublin), Gareth McKinless (Derry), Conor McCarthy (Monaghan)

Midfielders: Brian Fenton (Dublin), Brendan Rogers (Derry)

Forwards: Paudie Clifford (Kerry), Seán O'Shea (Kerry), Enda Smith (Roscommon), David Clifford (Kerry), Shane McGuigan (Derry), Colm Basquel (Dublin)