It is hard to believe we have reached the mid-season break in the Airtricity League and as many players head to some warmer locations to recharge their batteries, it is the perfect opportunity for an overall assessment of the season so far.

Fourteen rounds of games have been completed and they have flown by.

You may remember my preview blog at the start of the season so this week I am going to look through the performances so far and see which teams are going right, and which need to make drastic improvements in the coming months.

1. Sligo Rovers. Where do I start? It has been a dream beginning for Ian Baraclough, one even Sligo fans would not have expected. The Bit o’ Red were unbeaten in their first 12 games - their best start in 75 years - and all this from a manager who took over just two days before the start of the season.

However, they have gone into the break on a negative note having lost their unbeaten record to UCD and exited the FAI Cup to lowly Monaghan Utd. Overall, Baraclough will be delighted with his side six points clear.

Can they win the league? Most definitely, but the transfer window will define their season. Baraclough has confirmed they will be active with two players likely to be added to the squad, and this is a necessity.

Midfield is the area he needs to target because at the moment, they are not only lacking in experience but also quality. If he can find the right players, they will be hard to catch.

2. St Patrick's Athletic. I think they have done very well. Manager Liam Buckley was always going to implore an attractive brand of football and he has not disappointed me on that front.

The Saints have yet to convince that they can go on and win the league, and sometimes I wonder if they need to convince themselves first.

I predicted a fourth-place finish and I'm not going to change my mind. They need to find a striker in the transfer window to give the side a cutting edge and that will be telling in their season.

3. Shamrock Rovers. Given their resources, the Hoops have been the most disappointing team in the league so far.

The reigning champions have been a shadow of their former selves and already they have a seven-point deficit to bridge.

Interestingly, Shams had 28 points at the 14-game mark last season, compared to 24 this term. They had the same number of defeats (two) but did claim a win over Sligo Rovers in The Showgrounds early last season, whereas this campaign a 3-0 thumping in the west has really cast question marks over their ability to retain the title.

Stephen Kenny will be a worried man because, not only are they dropping points, the Hoops have played poorly at times. It is a fantastic Rovers squad and if any team is capable of going on an unbeaten run, it is this one.

Vast improvement is needed and I am sure that is precisely what Kenny will be expecting. I tipped them to win the league at the start and I am going to stick with that prediction - for now!

4. Drogheda United. Mick Cooke’s men are the surprise package of the league so far, scoring plenty of goals in lots of exciting matches.

It seems Cooke is on a mission to bring the good times back to Drogheda. It remains to be seen if they can keep up their good form but if they can keep a European place within reach for the next few months, there is no reason they cannot kick on.

The Brennans have done reasonably well, while Declan O’Brien remains a goal threat. An excellent season so far for United.

5. Derry City. I am not sure what to make of Derry as I expected a whole lot more from them. They currently lie in fifth but I did predict them to be challenging the top two a little more.

Injuries have destroyed much of their hopes. Rory Patterson has not had a run of games to really make a mark on the league and in defence they have been relying on young players coming into the side. They are still within touching distance of the third place but again improvement is needed.

6. Shelbourne. As expected, Shels are mid-table and on course for sixth place. They do not play football that is particularly easy on the eye but it is effective.

They seem to be one of those teams that float along around mid-table, never really threatening to go any higher and not in any danger of dropping to the lower reaches.

Philly Hughes is proving his ability to be an excellent Premier Division striker. There are not enough players of his class in the squad, however.

7. Bray Wanderers. I predicted Bray would have a really tough campaign after the chaos of pre-season, but Pat Devlin seems to have waved his magic wand again and produced a team capable of only winning points - and in style.

I have watched them a couple of times and been really impressed with some of their younger players, and of course with wily old fox Jason Byrne, who is still banging in goals.

The second half of the season promises much and they should steer clear of the drop if they can hold on to the new kids on the block.

8. Cork City. A lot of people predicted big things for Cork this season but I was not one of them.

They have been very hit and miss so far and it is not a huge surprise, given that they have just been promoted from the First Division. It is a massive gulf in class and Cork have found that out the hard way.

As the season goes on I think they will get stronger so my fifth place prediction might not be a bad call.

9. Bohemians. I really don't think league placings matter that much to Bohemians this year as they are doing well just to have a team on the pitch after recent troubles.

In saying that, a lot of credit must go to Aaron Callaghan and his staff because they have assembled a squad that is improving.

Although extremely youthfu,l I was more than impressed with their style of play when I watched them against league leaders Sligo.

The experience these kids are gaining this year will benefit them and Bohemians Football Club in the long run.

10. UCD. The Students are my favourite team to watch in the league but results-wise it is always a struggle for Martin Russell’s young side.

Until the mindset of the club changes they will just keep churning out little gems for other clubs’ benefit, I'm afraid.

In saying that, the coaching and football education they are receiving from Russell is second to none. If you ever want to go and watch excellent football, the UCD Bowl is the place to be.

11. Dundalk. The Lilywhites’ off-field issues are overshadowing anything that Sean McCaffrey and his players are trying to achieve.

Truthfully, that is a good thing because some of the results have been awful.

It's a shame for the fans because having played there, I know how much of a soccer town it is and how important the football club is.

The future looks bleak and the XI on the field have not been good enough.

12. Monaghan United. Bottom place is what everyone expected from the Monaghan, except of course manager Roddy Collins.

You only have to look at the resources and that will tell you exactly the size of the task Roddy and his players are faced with, especially with several players expected to depart in the window.

The main highlight though was the fantastic result in the FAI Cup as they beat holders Sligo Rovers in their own backyard. Roddy for the Aviva? Now, there's a thought.

There is certainly more drama to come and I have no doubt we'll see many changes in the table between now and the end of October.

With Euro 2012 fever taking over our lives for the next three weeks, enjoy the break from the domestic game and let's look forward to the resumption on Friday 22 June.

Until then,

Alan