A new-look Championship offered fresh hope to football followers this year but, ultimately, it was a huge let-down.

It may have been a new format but many of the old failings of its predecessors were retained, starting with the dreaded provincial championships.

Kerry, Dublin and Galway strolled to wins by a combined 59 points in their respective finals and while Ulster was again the outlier, even the drama of penalties couldn’t mask the poverty of the fare between Derry and Armagh.

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Things were supposed to really pick up in the group stages then but outside of Mayo’s win in Killarney and Roscommon almost taking the scalp of Dublin in Croke Park, there was little to get excited about.

Before a ball was kicked I felt that two, rather than three, teams should emerge from the groups and nothing that happened subsequently challenged my view.

Yes, there was drama on the final day of games but it was largely superficial. Aidan O’Shea had a late free that could have seen Mayo leapfrog Cork in the table, but ultimately both were going through anyway.

It was similar with Kevin Feely’s last gasp winner for Kildare against Roscommon. But imagine if that kick was to keep Kildare in the Championship and knock Roscommon out. Now, that would have been something to get genuinely excited about.

As it was, Kildare didn’t even get home advantage despite finishing second in their group as their ground is being redeveloped.

All told, we were robbed of a far more exciting and meaningful climax to the group stages.

Three of the preliminary quarter-finals were tense and tight affairs but low on quality and the effort expended in those games had a knock-on effect for the quarter-finals, which were a massive anti-climax.

Granted, the semi-finals were a pleasant surprise but then the final lacked the quality that you would associate with a Dublin-Kerry game, albeit it was exciting and up for grabs right to the end.

Too many games were marred by safety-first football and a lack of risk-taking, including the final to a degree.

Possession football was king throughout the Championship, with sweeper-keepers regularly having more involvements than star players.

The lack of physicality has become a real worry for me. Most games were played without any intensity, with teams happy to sit back and not engage players in possession.

Perhaps the lack of jeopardy for much of the season is a factor, but I believe it’s more attributable to modern coaching. At least the All-Ireland final reminded us that our game is exciting when teams make it a physical battle.

That brings me to refereeing and David Gough in particular. He’s the best in the business because he allows that physicality to flourish without going too far.

That was evident in the final. He has a common sense approach and you know where you stand with him as a player.

Some of his colleagues could do with following his lead.

TEAM OF THE YEAR

1. Stephen Cluxton (Dublin)

What a remarkable comeback. He was pretty much flawless in all of the knockout games and makes my shortlist for player of the year.

2. Conor McCluskey (Derry)

Followed up last year’s performances with another brilliant season. He kept Paudie Clifford on a leash for long periods of the semi-final. A vital cog in the Derry defence.

3. Michael Fitzsimons (Dublin)

An absolute warrior. Playing in the full-back line and taking on marque forwards at 34 years of age is a dangerous game but he seems to thrive on it.

4. Tom O’Sullivan (Kerry)

After a quiet start to the year he managed to nullify Darragh Canavan and Cormac Costello in big match-ups. Nine points from play is outrageous for a corner-back.

5. James McCarthy (Dublin)

Refused to back down from any challenge, as usual. Came to life in the quarters against Mayo, while against Monaghan and Kerry he had some vital turnovers despite not being at his best. If he is to go out, he couldn’t have scripted it better.

6. Brian Howard (Dublin)

He wore No 9 but mainly played a free role from half-back. He was a huge reason why Dublin were so defensively solid all year. Just pips Gareth McKinless and Tadhg Morley.

7. Conor McCarthy (Monaghan)

The wing-back position has really transformed his game. It wasn’t just the fact he scored 2-11 from play, but he had numerous clutch scores against Kildare and Armagh that inspired his team.

8. Brian Fenton (Dublin)

A Rolls Royce of a midfielder, there is simply nothing he can’t do. Simply inspirational in the big moments against Mayo, Monaghan and Kerry. He would be my second Dublin nominee along with Cluxton for player of the year.

9 Brendan Rogers (Derry)

Was liberated this year by his move to his midfield and thrived on it. He constantly drove forward and kicked crucial scores.

10. Paul Mannion (Dublin)

Another of the returning prodigal sons that had a huge influence. Kicked the crucial scores in the final in a man of the match display that should guarantee him an All Star.

11. Sean O’Shea (Kerry)

It was probably a mixed year for O’Shea and he arguably never fully caught fire. He was still a pivotal figure for Kerry though and hit 2-16 from play.

12. Paudie Clifford (Kerry)

Gave a sensational display for 20 minutes in the final but, overall, was a really important link in a lot of his brother’s scores all year. Met the challenge of being tracked by Conor Meyler head-on against Tyrone.

13. David Clifford (Kerry)

Another remarkable year from an exceptional talent. Ultimately, the final didn’t go his way but he still produced some magical moments.

14. Shane McGuigan (Derry)

I felt he was harshly denied an All Star last year but he should be an absolute certainty this year. The leading scorer in the Championship.

15. Colm Basquel (Dublin)

What a turnaround in his career, from a bit-part player to rejoining the panel and being the leading scorer from play in the Championship. A huge 20-minute spell from him in the second half of the final is a big reason the Dubs got over the line.

Young Footballer of the Year - Eoin McEvoy (Derry)

Looks set to take up the baton from Chrissy McKaigue as Derry’s main man-marker in the next few years. A brilliant first season.

Footballer of the Year - David Clifford (Clifford)

The debate around this award will go on for the next few months but, for me, there is none.

There was no better footballer in 2023 than Clifford. He dazzled us with his sublime skill and took our breath away with moments of magic. He took his game to another level this year, which I thought was impossible.

His final performance is being judged mainly on two or three instances of poor shot selection. He was hugely effective otherwise.

Game of the Year - Kerry-Derry

There was only a handful to choose from but Derry’s attacking approach to this game made it a cracking contest and very nearly got the Oak Leafers over the line.