IT'S been a hell of a season for St Patrick's Athletic. Perhaps too literally in many respects. Yet, despite having to negotiate a series of crises, manager John McDonnell believes that the Saints can come out stronger on the other side.

"Yes, it's been a difficult season for us, there's been a lot of stuff going on off the pitch," said McDonnell after Tuesday's 2-1 win over Derry City, which secured second in the league.

"We lost Liam O'Brien [former assistant boss], then Brian Kerr went, the CEO went, we've had a bit of trouble with the Michael Keane situation, and a couple of other things. Trevor [Croly, O'Brien's replacement] is gone and now this.

"That's five or six management crises, but we've dealt with them well to finish second, get to the semi-final of the cup and all the European stuff. It's been a difficult season, but a very positive season."

Not everyone at Inchicore will agree, considering the season will conclude without a trophy. And, for all his positive spin, McDonnell is aware that he needs to make serious readjustments to his squad over the winter.

With the financial downturn, the same resources as this time last year may not be in place to attract new faces, but then that is a league-wide problem.

Alan Kirby, Lance Friesz, Jaroslaw Bialek, Gary O'Neill, Stephen Paisley, John Frost and Dave Rogers are out of contract, and the majority of that group could depart, while others under contract could be asked to take the sort of pay cuts that their counterparts at Bohemians are facing.