Yeah probably a 7 or 8 out of 10.
Goal at the start of the year I’d have said was staying up in the league which we achieved, getting to an Ulster final or failing that a good run in the back door and draw dependent make a quarter final or further which we did.
Obviously Donegal in Ulster was hugely disappointing and has been discussed to death, but fair play to all the lads they bounced back and gave us 3 hugely memorable days out.
Disappointing to lose the way we did against Galway but the positive signs are all there- hopefully we can get lads back from injury for next year, maybe unearth another couple of lads to add to the panel over the winter and can dig in ready for another lash at next year.
A big positive was the amount of new faces having big years- Mackin and Kelly were 2 of our best players in the league before we lost them, Woods and Kierans have added something new as well and were very good in Croker.
Soupy did extremely well to regain his place after being on the bench for most of the year was unbelievable since hes been back. Grugan had another super year as usual. Nugent I thought has been brilliant this year- turned into a real leader and never stops working. Morgan had one of his best ever years as well, did a very good job on Walsh the other day.
Ethan Rafferty has been an absolute revelation in nets, contender for our player of the year imo and I’ll put my hands up and admit I wanted him nowhere near nets, was totally proven wrong there so well done. Actually think he has a good chance of an All Star- Derry and Galway keepers are both very dodgy.
Obviously Rians performances it goes without saying was another highlight of the year, summed up perfectly by the nerve and the skill to kick that equaliser on Sunday. Another thing I noticed is that several times when we were struggling or Galway had just scored, he made himself available for the next kickout- real sign of a good leader. Nailed on all star and without a doubt one of if not the best footballer in the country at the minute.
Next year we’ll be hoping for more of the same- get Oisin O’Neill, Mackin, Grimley, TK, Paddy Burns back fit and we’ll offer a huge threat to anyone. Hopefully we can keep everyone else together for another run. Donaghy has been a massive addition by all accounts so heres hoping we can keep him as well.
Target for me is again staying up and being competitive in the league but number one an Ulster title, we’ve shown we being competing against the big boys and no reason we can’t win an Ulster- would be huge for this team to get over the line. Imo the all ireland is wide open for the next few years- Dublin have come back to the pack, Mayo are definitely not the force the were and while Kerry are full of talent they’re still beatable. We know we can compete with any of the teams in Ulster as well. That’s bound to be hugely motivating for our lads- anything is possible.