Just reward for those who tried to play good football

SO goodbye to all that then. For the watchers among us, a little sadness, but for the participants, nothing but relief. It's been a long old season, and they do seem to be getting longer, evidence of which is the thought that Cork go into the InterToto Cup next month. Give us a break.

If the truth be told, it wasn't a vintage season but had enough to [leave a good aftertaste.

Not enough teams tried to play good football. Thankfully, those that did were suitably rewarded, Derry and Shelbourne fittingly taking the two major trophies, and Shamrock Rovers deservedly pulling clear of the relegation zone after playing the most enterprising football (by a mile) of those in the bottom half.

All told, there still isn't enough commitment toward entertaining the public. There's still too much long ball, and t9o much cautiousness. It's interesting to note what four of the top five in the Premier Division won more matches away from home than at home, while three of the top four scored more away from home than on their own grounds. (Bohemians and Cork could only manage a goal per game at home.)

It's with this in mind that we issue our bouquets and barbed wire.

Team of the Season: Derry. Simply the best. It's good to see them back.

Manager of the Season: Felix Healy, though special mention must be given to Alfie Hale for taking Kilkenny to the Premier Division.

Player of the Season: Peter Hutton. Stephen Geoghegan's achievement in gaining a callup to the international squad and becoming the first player in over a decade to finish top scorer (along with Tony Cousins) for the second season running merits mention too, but Hutton's inspirational presence and 15 goals from midfield makes him stand out.

Under achievers of the season: Dundalk, in bringing in two cross channel managers and several new players, still contrived to have their worst season ever. Galway too, had to really under achieve in buying three members of the previous championship winning side, winning both the shield and the League Cup, and then finishing in the First Division's bottom half. No contest.

Match of the Season: Shamrock Rovers 6 Shelbourne 4, as befits two of the three most entertaining sides around.

Best trilogy: The three score draws between Shelbourne and Derry.

Best performance: Martin Reilly and St Patrick's, in the same match. Regardless of the icy conditions, to mark Brian Kerr's 10th anniversary with a 5-0 whipping of Bohemians, crowned by Reilly's stunning hat trick, extended the comparisons with Ajax to beyond the Saints new strip.

Best supporters: Derry's. It took them a while to come out of the cupboard, but it was worth the wait.

Most improved pitch: Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds.

Best referee: John McDermott/Mick Tomney. Noone else was near them.

Lessons to be learnt: Restore second replays in the Cup, and abandon extra time in first ties. Don't arrange representative friend lies as the League and Cup reach their finale. Don't start the season on the same weekend as a World Cup qualifier. Don't have the Cup final on the week of a World Cup qualifier.

One could go on, and on, but generally try to plan a season out in advance, not from week to week.

Best to watch: Shelbourne.

Match programme of the season: SuperSaint. An assiduously prepared well laid out pre match feast.

Quote of the Season: Two contenders spring to mind. "We won't lie going there to defend. Anyone who's watched us knows we can't anyway." Pat Byrne, honestly and accurately assessing his mercurial Hoops.

Dermot Keely, reflecting on the silk purse out of a sow's ear task for his on loan Scottish striker George Shaw, commented: "If we could get, something to him, he could be an asset. But Jesus Christ wouldn't have made any difference up front. It's bad enough me asking for a miracle, but him as well. That's two in one match!"

Moment of the season: Tony Sheridan receiving the ball with his back to Paul Doolin, who was breathing down his neck beside the Tolka Park dug outs. With one touch from the outside of his left boot, Sheridan spun the ball in a 180 degree are around Doolin while he spun to Doolin's right, leaving the Bohemians' midfielder staring into an empty space.

The beautiful game. Au revoir.