ARMAGH City have just missed out on promotion to the Belfast Telegraph Championship One this season.
But they ended their campaign in real style on Saturday last with a comprehensive 5-1 away win at Ballymoney United.
Of their 30 league outings during 2012-13, City registered 21 wins, with three draws and just six defeats.
As a result, they finished in third spot, agonisingly only one away from the two automatic promotion places – claimed by Knockbreda and Ballyclare Comrades.
And narrow defeats to both Dungannon Swifts and Ards in the Mid Ulster and Irish Cups respectively showed they were comfortable taking on some of the so-called ‘bigger teams’.
Optimism is rife within the Armagh City ranks for next season and, hopefully, they can go one better in 2013-14 and move up.
A new 4G ground development is taking place at Holm Park over the summer and the club will also be celebrating its 50th anniversary next year.
And, with Armagh City Reserves winning their league this season and the Under 18 squad again being successful, the future is looking bright at senior level.
The emphasis will now be to re-sign as many of the current players as possible and, hopefully, bring through some fresh talent and add further strength and depth to the squad.
But, meanwhile, it will be time for the players, management, supporters and club officials to relax during the close season.
And this will start on Saturday evening when the Players’ Awards and Dinner Dance is staged in Armagh City Hotel.
Then thoughts will once again turn to next season!
