Coleman: We’re going in right direction

A fifth defeat in nine games wasn’t quite what was hoped for at the end of a year that was well below what was expected at the outset, but at the end of it all there was optimism amongst the players on an evening where the performance showed plenty of promise despite the scoreline.

Seamus Coleman was the leading light on a night where the experimental side perhaps failed to gel fully, but with a performance that further cemented his place as first choice right-back, the Donegal man was keen to look forward.

“The result is disappointing but I thought we played some nice football at times and all we were missing was a goal,” he said.