After the first two rounds of games, the Allianz Football League enters a two-week hiatus and a period of reflection for the 32 participating teams.
Armagh lead Division One after taking care of the All-Ireland champions and the team that reigned for six years before them, there is heavy traffic at the top of Division Two, Westmeath and Limerick are the early pacesetters in Division Three and, remarkably, London are part of the promotion conversation in Division Four.
Several other counties have flattered to deceive across the four divisions, however, and we’ve focused on the main talking points from the competition so far.
Are Dublin in danger of relegation?
As the only team with no points in Division One, you’d have to say that at this point, yes, they are.
But it’s still unlikely that they will occupy one of the bottom two places come round seven. There is no doubting that they’re not the force of old, but they still have key men to return and while their performance in Tralee last Saturday night wasn’t particularly encouraging, it was still an improvement on their effort against Armagh.
Their performance graph should continue to rise sufficiently to carry them to safety.
Meath’s struggles
Even though Andy McEntee held onto his job after county board delegates supported him last October when the executive didn’t, it was hardly the backdrop that he would have wanted going into his sixth season at helm.
Having won the last two Leinster minor titles and the All-Ireland at that grade last year, there is a feeling that Meath are starting to get their act together but the senior team has repeatedly hit a glass ceiling when it comes to moving beyond the top eight.
And now they’re in danger of dropping into Division Three after being well beaten by Galway and Roscommon. It’s a disappointing start after showing signs of life against Dublin last year and while McEntee may not be around in 2023, he won’t want leaving the team in the Tailteann Cup to be his legacy.
What managers are under pressure?
The aforementioned McEntee may well be looking over his shoulder if Meath fall to Down on Sunday week, though he’d probably have to walk himself for a vacancy to arise as the executive may not have the stomach to move against him so soon after last year’s fuss.
Dessie Farrell may come under pressure in Dublin come the year’s end, but hardly before that.
Carlow and Tipperary have made particularly disappointing starts in Division Four, however, and if there isn’t an upturn soon, Niall Carew and David Power may start considering their options.
What’s the solution to the Sigerson Cup overlap?
There are various opinions on where the Sigerson Cup should fit in the calendar, but the timing could scarcely be worse than January/February when more inter-county games are being played than at any other time.
The suggestion that counties shouldn’t be allowed to call on third level players while they’re still involved with their college is ludicrous, particularly with League performance influencing which competitions they play in come summer.
Moving third level competitions to pre-Christmas seems the most sensible option.
Which division is most intriguing?
Division Four. London are competing for a historic promotion having been idle for two years, Cavan are on the march, Sligo have found a ruthless edge under Tony McEntee and Leitrim are contenders too after comfortably seeing off 2020 Munster champions Tipperary last weekend.
Even at that, everyone right down to Carlow at the foot of the table will still fancy their chances of putting a run together to challenge.
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