Freddy Hall experienced a stop-start season with Limerick in their first campaign back in Ireland’s top flight after losing his first-team place because of injury.

The birth of his daughter, Amia, midway through the season more than eased any frustrations Hall might have had, though, giving the goalkeeper a new-found perspective on life and football.

With his partner and daughter moving to Limerick in the new year, Hall can look forward to a more settled fourth season at the club, having spent the past few months travelling to and from Bermuda to visit his family.

“My season was filled with a lot of ups and downs,” Hall said.

“I had a wonderful little girl midway through the season, but I suffered the most injuries I’ve experienced in my football career: a torn shoulder and broken nose, to name a few.

“Being out with injuries and flying back and forth to Bermuda to check on things with the little one made it a stop-start campaign.

“But I can’t complain; things happen for a reason and I wouldn’t change the flow of the season for anything.

“I have the most beautiful little princess.”

Hall, 32, was replaced by Brendan Clarke early in the season and had to settle for a place on the bench until the end of the campaign when his fellow custodian suffered an injury.

The Bermudian, who has another two years remaining on his contract, said he was looking forward to challenging for the No 1 jersey with Clarke next term.

“I wasn’t frustrated at [Clarke] playing at all,” Hall said. “He got an opportunity because of circumstances and I’m glad he was able to help the team.

“It’s not about putting pressure on anyone; I know what level I’m at. I’ll simply just train and get back to the fitness levels and form that I have shown during my time at Limerick.”

Hall helped Limerick to win the First Division title at a canter in 2016, but admits they had hoped for better than a seventh-place finish in their first season back in the top tier.

Limerick will certainly be targeting a loftier finish next season, with Hall still hoping to realise his ambition of playing European football with the Munster outfit.

The top team in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division enters the draw for the Champions League second round of qualifying, while the second and third-placed team and winners of the FAI Cup qualify for the Europa League first qualifying round.

“It was our first season back in the top flight and we can look at the positives,” said Hall, a former St George’s player. “We stayed in the division for another year at least, but overall our expectations were higher.

“A lot of things didn’t go as smoothly as we wanted [and that prevented] us from achieving the goals we set at the start of the season. However, that’s life, and we’re glad we’re still in the top division. Every season our goal is simple: get a good start and get as high in the table as possible.

“The big goals are always to push for European spots and I think that’s the same for this season.”

With Bermuda set for a frequent stream of international fixtures as part of the new Concacaf League of Nations, starting from September next year, Hall is keen to talk with the BFA coaching staff about their plans for the future.

“I’m interested [in the League of Nations], but before I make myself available I need to sit with the Bermuda management team and talk about things and their plans,” he said. “It’s always an honour to play for Bermuda.”