It might seem churlish to query the scoring return of the defending League and All-Ireland champions, especially when they overcame Kerry by six points in their secondary competition opener.

Furthermore, registering 2-14 including 1-10 in open play on the first night of the League is not to be sniffed at by any means.

However, Dublin’s conversion rate could be much, much better.

Jim Gavin’s side scored two goals at Croke Park on Saturday night but created upwards of eight genuine goalscoring chances against Éamonn Fitzmaurice’s men.

In fact, in nearly all of their Championship encounters last term they were wasteful specifically regarding goalscoring opportunities.

And Dublin, as we all know, absolutely thrive on raising green flags.

As a matter of fact, were it not for Paddy Andrews’ major at headquarters the result could have been different.

At that point Kerry were asserting themselves more and more, showing themselves to be really menacing.

Yet, and as has been the case so often in the past, Dublin’s first goal lifted their performance levels all over the field as well as affording Hill 16 a jolt of electricity.

Nevertheless, what will happen the day that those goals don’t come?

2 Brian O’Driscoll

Not the rugby version, obviously but Cork’s Brian O’Driscoll was exceptional against Mayo on Sunday and may just be a long-term choice at No 6 for the Rebels.

Granted, O’Driscoll was black-carded late in the day but he was authoritative at centre-back and seriously destructive, in the most positive of senses.

And, if you watch closely enough, he has the happy knack of retaining the ability to develop plays by consistently keeping the head up, not easy under the pressure those players face in that sector of the field.

His tigerish demeanour is both noteworthy and praiseworthy and it could be that his presence yields huge dividends for the Leesiders in such a role.

Additionally, the two points he scored were top-class finishes.

Players across the half-back line capable of scoring are invaluable commodities and O’Driscoll seems to tick a lot of boxes for this particular spot.

Last season, something he would probably admit himself, O’Driscoll was finding his feet at this level.

Yet, his display in treacherous conditions in the Munster SFC final replay represented an occasion whereby he displayed many of the traits he is capable of bringing to the table for Cork. A progressive performer.

3 Monaghan continue to impress

Last year, Monaghan, having finished third in the table at the end of the regular-season, got to within one point of Dublin in the League semi-final.

Their performance that day at Croker, especially that of and none other than Conor McManus, was striking because, in hindsight, it was as close as any side got to Jim Gavin’s troops in a game that mattered in 2015.

Okay, Dublin mauled the Farney Army by 11 points in the final round of the regular-season prior to that.

However, Monaghan were already qualified for the last four by then and so possibly took their foot off the gas in advance of the subsequent clash.

A lot of people said ‘same old Monaghan’ when an All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Tyrone turned out to be their lot for the season.

Yet, they remain a threat for the season that lies before us, epitomised by the manner in which Malachy O’Rourke’s outfit snatched victory from under the noses of Roscommon in Kiltoom on Sunday.

A home game against Down follows next weekend and so it’s expected Monaghan will have four points on the board before the three-week break.

O’Rourke’s side deserve respect.