It is very hard to pick holes

ALLIANZ NFL DIVISION 1

Pts 8 6 6 6 5 4 3 2

P W D +/- Derry 5 4 0 1 23 Dublin 5 3 0 2 17 Mayo 5 3 0 2 10 Kerry 5 3 0 2 3 Galway 5 2 1 2 -5 Tyrone 5 2 0 3 -4 Roscommon 5 1 1 3 -4 Monaghan 5 1 0 4 -40 ROUND 4 FIXTURES

Lamount of work during what was essentially a second pre-season.

We came back and beat Cork by double scores up in Páirc Uí Chaoimh in the Munster, which was the beginning of our journey to claiming All Ireland success.

Teams don’t have that luxury anymore however. With little or no break now, each teams league results can be taken as a serious barometer as to how their season may unfold.

Looking at Division 1, Derry were certainly the form team heading into the last round of games. Their game against Dublin turned that on its head, though, with the current All Ireland champions laying down another marker after their comprehensive win over Kerry.

They showed everybody that they are still the team to beat and after a sluggish start to the league are really starting to find their stride. They look to be playing a little more direct football to what we saw from them over the last few years.

I have been very impressed with how slick they have been in tight situations against packed defence. They are clearly working on a lot of tight hand passing games, moving the ball at pace under pressure and it is paying dividends.

Some players are really beginning to come of age with the likes of Lee Gannon and Seán Bugler looking to cement their place in the starting line up. Other more experienced players such as Con O’Callaghan and in particular Ciarán Kilkenny are in serious form for them at the moment.

The resurgence of Kilkenny is huge for the Dubs. He is one of their leaders and when on song is a serious weapon for them. Over the last couple of seasons he was out around the middle slowing things down trying to dictate the play. This season he