NORTH COUNTY

Last season saw County produce a Houdini display to escape the dreaded drop.

It's changed times at Balrothery, with the most successful Irish side of the last decade now having more modest ambitions from the halycon days of the early and mid 2000s.

Indeed, their avoidance of relegation was seen by one high proile club member as amongst their greatest achievements in recent times.

A club spokesman said of the forthcoming campaign: "Avoiding relegation last year was as big of an achievement we have had as a club. John Mooney was injured for the first and last part of the season and also Eddie Richardson and Conor Sheil were out quite a bit with illness.

"We had to fight for every point available and managed to stay up by the skin of our teeth. This year will be about maintaining competitiveness with no overseas player again and hopefully giving ourselves a chance at winning a trophy.

"Young players to watch will be Andrew Sheridan and Ru Jones who both have big futures in the game.

There's enough quality in the County ranks with Conor Armstrong and John Mooney playing alongside Adam Coughlan, Eddie Richardson, Terry Richardson, Shane Getkate (when available with MCCYC commitments) and Ian Bertram.

If they all pull together with that famous Balrothery team spirit, then there's no reason why they can't win more games than they lose.