As we start a new year, one which will hopefully be a momentous one for the club, it's worth reminding ourselves of one very important fact that was achieved back in October 2009. That is, the Senior Footballers will be playing in AFL1 for the first time in 4 years.

Anyone involved in the team or those who have watched the lads over the last couple of years will certainly agree it's where they belong for many years to come. This week last year, the same squad of players, minus one or two that have developed into Senior Football Squad members over the last 12 months, sat down to discuss their goals for the year and how they would achieve them. Top of everyones list of goals was to regain Division 1 status for the 2010 season by winning promotion from AFL2. One year on, it's a very different conversation that the lads will be having when they discuss their goals for 2010!!!

Not only did the lads win promotion from the AFL2 league, they won the competition outright in October, long before all games had finished in the league. With a total points haul of 26 and only dropping 4 points all year, they couldn't be caught. It was a magnificent achievement and one that has not been forgotten 3 months on! The importance of this promotion cannot be understated in the club and the air of confidence that this has brought to the club is palpable and all teams in the club will be looking to use the success of the Senior Footballs to achieve their own goals.

The discussions this week will no doubt be around staying in AFL1 and stepping it up a notch. Championship ambitions will likely be discussed also. Suffice to say, it's a much better position to be in then twelve months ago, but it's not the end of the journey.

Today, the 4th of January 2010, we once again congratulate all the squad and its mentors on a tremendous 2009 and wish them every luck in the onward journey to even more success in 2010. With a bit of luck and a lot of hard work and endeavor hopefully we will be writing a similar article about the Senior Hurling squad as they look to follow suit this year.

Here's to a successful 2010 for Erin's Isle GAA club!