They think it’s all over for this season - it is now

Well folks – there it is – another season over before you know it - Rathfriland FC has had an exciting and very successful season again on and off the pitch, writes Eric Annett.

Rangers finished runners up in the Northern Amateur Football League Division 1B, manager Alan Frazer and his coach Stevie McBride and their team agonisingly missing out on being declared Champions by just a single point despite losing the lowest number of games in the league.

They also scored the most goals, two more than eventual winners Immaculata, but crucially conceded one more. Nevertheless Rangers put on a super show over the league season with their great set of fans being treated to 21 wins out of 26 games.

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It did not stop there as in cup competitions Rangers, with the biggest support ever seen at a Border Cup Final, narrowly lost 2–1 to a brilliant Crumlin Star side while they also reached the 5th round of the Irish Cup for the first time in the club`s history travelling away to Championship 1 Institute but again just missing out by a 2–1 scoreline.

In all competitions Rangers` top four goalscorers scored 104 goals between them out of a total of 138 with Ally Wilson finishing with another record breaking 53, Ally Beck on 19, Stevie Coulter 17 and Decky Allister 15 - an achievement that seen Wilson along with defender Connor Larkin claim places in the Northern Ireland international Amateur League Britton Rosebowl squad.

Meanwhile the Swifts had their second season in the Reserve Championship league competing with the likes of Loughgall, Newry City, Coagh Utd, Armagh City and Warrenpoint Town finishing a very creditable position in the table under the guidance of club coach Errol Curran and assistant David Gilmore.

The Swifts Reserves, competing in Mid Ulster Reserve Division 4 had an excellent season collecting a trophy by winning the Division 4 title while also getting to the semi finals of the Mid Ulster Cup.

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