Its interesting to see the patterns arising already, with only around 30% of the season complete, shelbourne are already looking like they will be the team to catch this season. five points clear of Waterford, Rovers and Cork with a game in hand on most of them.
Its looking like three seperate sections in the premier division, with Shelbourne dominating with possibly Bohemians and Cork managing to challenge.
Rovers, Waterford, Longford & Drogheda are all performing outstandingly, but are punching slightly above their weight at the moment, but none of these sides should feature in the relegation dogfight.
Derry City, Pat's and Dublin City are the three teams, of which one will most likely not be competing at this level in twelve months time. The Vikings had a horrendous start, but with only one defeat in their last six outings (2 in the league cup) including a victory over Bohemians (Pats and Shels in the LC), have started to find a little stability, meanwhile managerless pats and potentially, by Dyke's own admition, managerless Derry, hovering just above the drop zone, the next few fixtures will be vital.
In the first division, once again the top four teams are opening up a gap above the rest. Bray, UCD, Kildare and Finn Harps are all searing ahead of the rest, and with perennial strugglers Kilkenny & Monaghan joined by Limerick and Cobh in the bottom four, the most likely challenge could come from Dundalk or Galway for one of the three Promotion spots.
