The second half of 2021 - from the heartache in Portugal to Callum Robinson’s purple patch, Gavin Bazunu’s heroics and Chiedozie Ogbene bursting onto the scene - promised so much.
Ireland, it appeared were building up a head of steam and there was great excitement about this pacy young side.
2022 didn’t start off half bad either, thanks to Ogbene’s bicycle kick against Belgium and Troy Parrott’s smashing last-gasp winner against Lithuania.
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Critics of Ireland’s performance in the latter seem to forget that they had four goals ruled out for offside in an utterly dominant display.
However, the wheels began to fall off in June, when back-to-back Nations League defeats to Armenia and Ukraine quickly put an end to Stephen Kenny’s ambition to win the group and win promotion to the top tier.
It was a year of infuriating inconsistency - from the high of a thumping win against Scotland to coughing up a two-goal lead in a matter of minutes at home to Armenia.
And it ended with a friendly defeat to an Erling Haaland-less Norway and an unconvincing win in Malta.
But there were mitigating factors, including injuries that robbed Kenny of the dynamic Michael Obafemi-Parrott combo that tore Scotland apart in June.
As we approach a new year - 12 months that will define Kenny’s reign - there are a number of elements that must be addressed.
Some of it will be down to luck - and the Ireland supremo will be praying that his will turn after some miserable fortune in 2022.
Parrott is expected back early in January from the injury he suffered while celebrating his winning goal for Preston against Norwich in October.
The nature of the on-loan Spurs striker’s injury summed it up for Kenny, whose hopes for a favourable Euro 2024 qualification draw were dashed when France and the Netherlands were paired with the Boys in Green.
But there’s an element of making your own luck - and Ireland’s poor Nations League showing saw them turfed into pot three for the Euros draw.
Another area that needs work is defending set-pieces. Ireland looked vulnerable in that aspect of their game, particularly away to Scotland and against Norway.
Kenny is expected to stick with three-at-the-back against France in March, when the Boys in Green come face-to-face with the World Cup runners-up and golden boot winner Kylian Mbappe.
The thought of that alone is enough to send shivers down the spine of even the most optimistic Green Army recruit, given how the PSG man ripped some of the best defences to shreds in Qatar.
And even on an off-day, he still managed to score a hat-trick in the World Cup final.
Let’s face it, qualifying for Euro 2024 looks to be a near impossible task right now.
There was a time when progress to the finals in Germany would have been seen as the only way for Kenny to secure a contract extension.
Don’t be surprised, however, if qualification isn’t achieved yet he is still in charge this time next year.
But it will require better than the up-and-down nature of performances in 2022 and at least a spirited effort to split the mighty French and Dutch in Group B.
VERDICT: Can you really see this young Irish side qualify from such a tough group? Unfortunately, neither can I.
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