David Clifford: Footballer of the Year 'can't park' All-Ireland final defeat
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After winning the 2022 All-Ireland final, David Clifford and Kerry tasted defeat to Dublin in the 2023 decider
Kerry forward and newly-crowned GAA Footballer of the Year David Clifford says he isn't sure he will he will ever get over July's All-Ireland final defeat by Dublin.
Dublin edged past Clifford's Kerry to win the biggest prize in football.
Clifford, 24, became the first player to retain either the Footballer or Hurler of the Year award on Friday.
"In some ways it probably still hasn't been parked," Clifford told BBC Sport NI.
"Because of other things in life, between family and work and club games and everything - there is maybe a week you don't think about it at all.
"There is some week you think about it every minute. It's very difficult and when some things don't go as well personally then it is even more frustrating.
"You think that of any sportsperson, they always think of the losses. That's probably not a great thing to do but that's what they do.
"I'm not sure if we'll ever fully get over it but the beauty of gaelic football is you've so many other matches you have no other choice but to try and put it to the back of your mind."
Afer winning the All-Ireland in 2022, Clifford was selected as Kerry captain for the 2023 season and helped the Kingdom to the 2023 decider.
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, 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.
Clifford was named as man-of-the-match in his club Fossa's Munster SFC final win over Clare, scoring 2-6 in a 5-14 to 0-15 victory.
David Clifford: GAA Footballer of the Year on his history making award
After making history by retaining his crown, Clifford thanked his family and friends for keeping him grounded, despite his growing success.
"I probably don't enjoy it as much as I should. The big thing is the people around you enjoy it," added Clifford, who was also named in the All-Star team of the year.
"Of course your family will take great pride in it, Fossa will take great pride in, so they are very enjoyable and they are a great motivation for you to try and get back to nights like this.
"I'm probably very lucky with who my family are and who my friends are. They never let you get ahead of yourself, they wouldn't be long in telling you if they thought you were changing or [it was] getting to your head a bit.
"I'm just trying to stay as humble as possible because the day you believe you've done it or believe you've made it, then it's probably the day when you stop working hard and you start changing as a person."