Éamonn Fitzmaurice's mid-term report: Tailteann Cup upside, Kerry's joy at six, Derry and Armagh look the real deal

Mayo will also be quietly pleased. They usually have to put on a late burst to stay in the division but this time round they are ahead of themselves.

27 February 2022; Padraig O'Hora of Mayo is tackled by Ciaran Mackin of Armagh during the Allianz Football League Division 1 match between Mayo and Armagh at Dr Hyde Park in Roscommon. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

WITH four rounds played and everyone returning to school today after mid-term break, it is as good a time as any to run the rule over the Allianz Leagues with a mid term report. 

So far, while the usual suspects of bad weather and the annual debate regarding demands placed on players - particularly Sigerson students - has reared their head, generally speaking the standard of football has been very good. Once more we are getting great games in all four divisions as teams at similar levels battle it out. Fancy that! I also think teams are (or should be) much further down the road than they would normally be at this juncture because of the much earlier Championship. With the July All-Ireland, early March is like early May in a normal season heretofore and is possibly reflecting in the high quality of the fare.