A gripping title race, an historic League Cup final, a staggering end to the Irish Cup final and thrilling Euro play-off encounter which culminated with a stunning 75 yard goal from Larne’s Ronan Hale to put an overwhelming exclamation mark on the season.

Then there were the record transfer fees, players letting their teams down, players coming to the rescue of their teams and registration issues.

Largely, the season was incredibly positive, unless you are a Glentoran fan who watched their club self-implode and finish with absolutely nothing for their efforts.

Yet the Glens’ demise only added to the fascinating Irish League season.

Northern Ireland Football League Chairman Gerard Lawlor broke the mould when he sanctioned the League Cup final to be played on a Sunday for the very first time and it turned out to not only be a thrilling encounter between Cliftonville and Coleraine, but registered the highest attendance of the season for a domestic fixture.

There have been so many great initiatives involving NIFL and their member clubs, but how can it improve?

What can they introduce or try and implement to make the product even better?

The cries for an all-Ireland league seem to have died down, a move to summer football, which I’d fully support, seems to be painfully slow, while matches are now being played outside the 3pm window on a Saturday which should encourage more interest from those who play amateur football.

But NIFL chiefs should not rest on their laurels and I believe they have an opportunity to show great leadership once again, which would enhance our league.

I would like to see NIFL, with the backing of their member clubs, invite Derry City to rejoin the Irish League.

A controversial move, but one that makes sense.

I’m aware of the history and politics of why Derry left the Irish League at the height of the troubles, but now I feel is the right time for NIFL to encourage and welcome the Candy Stripes back.

NIFL need to make the first move, make it an attractive proposition to return to the Irish League family.

Derry City would greatly enhance the Danske Bank Premiership, they would bring the standard up even more and there would be immediate rivalries.

It baffles me the amount of travel Derry have to do to complete their League of Ireland fixtures. Their players probably spend half their lives on a bus to Dublin and beyond.

They have a great youth set-up, have been producing top players for years and this would be a major benefit for Northern Ireland football.

I know there would be arguments over which league Derry would go into if they did rejoin the Irish League family or if the top flight would need to be rejigged, but I definitely feel it’s a conversation worth having.

It would be a sign of football moving forward in Northern Ireland rather than always being stuck in the past.

Derry were extremely interested in joining an-Ireland league, when proposals were put forward, so maybe a discussion would be welcomed.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained…

I expect Jake to soon be known for scoring goals rather than his big announcement this week
  

In a football context, Jake Daniels’ sexuality is not important.

I commend Jake for having the courage and conviction, at just 17 years old, to tell the world this week that he is gay.

The young Blackpool striker obviously feels it is a huge weight off his shoulders, he can be himself, there will hopefully be no distractions as his football career progresses and his words could inspire other boys and girls in a similar position.

But really, it is none of my business.

Football has this stigma that it is only for people of a certain persuasion.

Maybe in the crowds, where some supporters remain narrow-minded, but not in the changing rooms I’ve been in.

It honestly wouldn’t give many players, certainly the ones I’ve been around, a second thought.

When it comes to a team-mate, all professional footballers really care about is whether they work hard in training and can make a major contribution during a game.

I’ve said it before, players are self absorbed, and with team-mates it’s all about what they can offer the side.

The fact Jake scored 30 goals for his Blackpool under-age team this year and made his senior debut at just 17 will have have resonated more with players than his sexuality.

Of course, he will get some stupid and uneducated supporters in the crowd shout abuse at him but

I’m confident they will be in the minority.

I understand that it is a relief for Jake to tell his story, but hopefully going forward, people can be whatever they like in a sport without having to make official announcements.

Jake can be a catalyst for football finally catching up with modern times.

And from now on, I look forward to reading about Jake’s exploits as striker and him building on his 30-goal season.

Rangers show great heart to lift the Cup

After playing in a Europa League Final, the Scottish Cup decider yesterday probably felt like an anti-climax for the Rangers players.

It was a real slow burner, Rangers needed to grow into the game and that didn’t surprise me after their efforts in Seville.

Hearts had plenty of possession but didn’t really trouble Jon McLaughlin in the Rangers goal, failing to have a shot on target.

But still, as the game wore on and match moved into extra time with Joe Aribo struggling to convert decent opportunities, I felt Rangers were destined for yet another penalty shoot-out in a Final.

But a moment of brilliance from Ryan Jack, a blistering drive that nearly took the roof of the net off, made sure Rangers had won their first Scottish Cup since 2009. Jacko fully deserved to be hero after the season he has been forced to endure, battling back from injury.

Goalkeeper Craig Gordon had kept Hearts in the match with some superb saves, but he was probably unsighted for the shot.

Scott Wright soon doubled the score with a cool finish, and Rangers could suddenly relax.

The Rangers players I’m sure are shattered, but it was noticeable it was Hearts who tired quicker yesterday. Giovanni van Bronckhorst was able to bring in six players and that made a difference.
Now the attention turns to see who will remain at Ibrox.

If Allan McGregor retires and Connor Goldson goes elsewhere, I would definitely offer Steven Davis a new deal to make sure vital experience remains in the squad.

I’m not sure what Davo’s thought process is, but if Van Bronckhorst were to lose two or three senior players, I think Rangers would be extremely keen to offer him a one-year contract, even at 37.