NATIONAL LEAGUE: The desired effect of switching to a 10-team Premier Division to make it more competitive appears to be working well as we cast a look back over this transitional, shortened campaign, a match into its second third.
There can be few regular followers who would disagree that the standard of football generally has also improved with many more closely fought games full of incident and, crucially, goals. The latter point is borne out by the fact we have had just two scoreless draws in 50 games so far with an average goals per game ratio of 3.08 compared to 2.66 for the whole of last season.
Another encouraging factor, which should augur well for the full implementation of summer soccer next year, is the good dry weather over the last two months. The firm pitches have undoubtedly contributed to the improvement in quality of play. Whether that quality will diminish as we approach winter remains to be seen.
People may look at the table and question the aforementioned competitiveness of the league when they see Bohemians eight points clear at the top. Indeed, the supremacy of Stephen Kenny's side could be heightened further by Sunday teatime when they may find themselves 11 points ahead in the table - they meet Longford Town in the league tomorrow night - with an FAI Cup final to look forward to.
However, despite not having lost a match yet, even Bohemians have found the going far from comfortable. They have won only one of their 10 league games by more than one goal and have conceded a goal in every game.
At the other end of the table we find UCD, a side under the guidance of Paul Doolin, struggling.
Having finished seventh last season, nine points clear of the third club relegated, College were expected to further consolidate their Premier Division status this season.
While Doolin is reluctant to admit that his young team are victims of the new condensed strength of the 10-team league, it would point to being the main reason for their disappointing start.
As with leaders Bohemians not having run up a big win, so UCD have not been "tanked" in any of their six defeats, only two of which, ironically both at home, were by two clear goals.
Remarkably, UCD have conceded just three goals more than Bohemians, their problem is obviously at the other end of the pitch where they have managed to score just eight times. Compare that to the Irish League Premier Division where, after seven games, bottom of the table Crusaders have conceded 16 goals to leaders Omagh Town's four. In last season's 12-team Premier Division here, Monaghan United conceded 85 goals to champions Shelbourne's 28.
The cliché, thrown up by most managers every week, of there being "no easy game" has perhaps never before had such an accurate ring to it.
Perceived title contenders St Patrick's Athletic, Shelbourne and Cork City have all lost four games already. St Patrick's lost just five last season, Shelbourne eight.
Third-placed Longford, who have lost only twice, and Drogheda United have been the real surprises. While newly promoted Drogheda are regarded as having done well, they have nonetheless lost half of their games, further emphasising the competitive nature of the league in its bold new format.
It's early days yet to be endorsing a brave new world, but the signs are positive that finally the league appears to have got something right.
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