1. Armagh get a timely win

The Allianz Football League campaign began in a positive fashion for Armagh, they grabbed a win away against Monaghan and a late flurry of points delivered a thrilling draw against Mayo. But their results since went into a tailspin, losing to Roscommon and Kerry, meaning Saturday’s tie with Donegal assumed added significance.

Twice in the second half Armagh were asked searching questions, Donegal approaching to within one point. The answer on each occasion will have satisfied Kieran McGeeney, Armagh upping the ante. Jarly Óg Burns produced a couple of vibrant, surging runs in injury-time that paved the way for the points that copper-fastened a success by three.

2. Derry’s brilliant comeback 

The first-half on Saturday night in Celtic Park made for tough viewing for the home fans. They only struck two points and trailed by five as Dublin were in a dominant mood. The meeting of two hitherto unbeaten sides looked set for only one conclusion.

But Derry emerged for the second half to flip the game around. Niall Toner’s goal gave them badly-needed impetus, they stuck grimly to the task of hunting Dublin down and in injury-time Brendan Rogers conjured up the magic to deliver a rousing win. It is a result that puts them on the brink of promotion, one point from their last two games will secure it.

3. Mayo take big step towards Division 1 final

Mayo’s unbeaten run continued this weekend as they narrowly held off Roscommon’s march to put one foot in the top-tier final of the Allianz Football League.

Jack Carney captured the imagination once again as he scored a vital goal to help Kevin McStay’s side to a two-point victory. The result ensures they maintain their supremacy at the top of the table, with Cillian O’Connor also looking sharp as he banked seven points at Dr Hyde Park.

That’s a second defeat on the bounce for Roscommon but they will come away feeling encouraged by their overall display. They quickly fell into a seven-point deficit in the opening half but gradually grew into the contest, and could even have squeezed out a win. Ben O’Carroll was unfortunate to see his injury-time effort fail to rattle the Mayo net.

4. Tyrone come good

There is something about the sight of a Kerry jersey that focuses Tyrone minds.

The All-Ireland champions visited Omagh, with the Red Hands rooted to the bottom of the Division 1 table and badly struggling for form.

Seán O’Shea’s goal for the opening score of the match didn’t improve matters, but the hosts eventually found their feet. And for the first time this season, they resembled the team that stormed to the 2021 All-Ireland title.

There was a swagger back in their attack, with Mattie Donnelly and Darragh Canavan in particular threatening throughout. Meanwhile at the back, they subdued the Kingdom’s protagonists impressively.

When their backs were to the wall, Tyrone delivered a big performance. That bodes well for the remainder of the Allianz League campaign, and into the summer.

5. Cork’s fire-power

The Rebels’ promotion hopes are out of their hands, as Dublin would need to slip up for Cork to have a chance of a top-two finish in the second tier.

But even if the Lee-siders fail to secure a return to Division 1, they are putting together a fine campaign.

The most notable area of improvement has been their goal-scoring. Cork have raised 13 green flags across their five games, more than any other county.

Brian Hurley and Chris Óg Jones have led the line impressively in recent weeks, with Seán Powter chipping in with two goals against Clare on Sunday.

John Cleary’s side are undoubtedly on an upward trajectory, and there is evidence to suggest that one of gaelic football’s sleeping giants is beginning to awaken after years of inconsistency and false dawns.

6. Kildare’s struggles

Things are going from bad to worse for the Lilywhites. They are the only team across all four divisions not to have scored a goal in this year’s Allianz League, and they are averaging just 0-11 a game.

Such paltry tallies are not going to cut it, and Sunday’s defeat to Louth was another hammer blow for Glenn Ryan’s outfit.

They now find themselves in a relegation fight ahead of the final two rounds. They travel to Limerick in two weeks for a must-win encounter, before Meath visit Newbridge on the final weekend.

Kildare appear to be out of ideas in attack at present, and they look like a shadow of the team that acquitted themselves well in Division 1 just 12 months ago.