'2018 a learning curve for Ireland'

The Irish did not qualify for the World Cup, and have been relegated to League C of the Nations League, winning only one game in the calendar year. 

However, there is some cause for optimism. Martin O'Neill has blooded a group of rising youngsters, following the retirements of the likes of Shay Given, Richard Dunne, John O'Shea, Damien Duff and Robbie Keane, and Coleman has challenged them to 'take the baton'. 

"There's no way of dressing it up, it's been a disappointing year," Coleman said. "It's been a learning curve for myself and some of the other lads who have 40 or 50 caps too.

"We don't have Richard Dunnes, Robbie Keanes and Damien Duffs to carry us through anymore. We have to take that baton now and maybe some of us haven't done that strongly enough.

"The new lads coming in will have learned a lot from this year. That, in a way, is some kind of positive to take from a negative year.

"Mentally we can be a lot stronger going into the games in March. That's how we have to look at it."