New Tyrone football manager Malachy O'Rourke has acknowledged that the abolition of the pre-season competitions for 2025 could make adjusting to potential rule changes tricky next January.
O'Rourke, confirmed as the Red Hands new boss on a three-year term on Tuesday, is also a member of Jim Gavin's Football Review Committee, which has proposed a suite of new rules, including awarding two points for a score beyond the 40m line and a requirement to leave three players in one half of the field at all times.
The rules are set to be trialled at four inter-provincial games in Croke Park on 18/19 October, after which Congress will vote on their introduction.
However, with the long maligned provincial pre-season competitions having been axed for the coming season, the next time the experimental rules - should they pass at Congress - will be witnessed in action by spectators will be the opening round of the Allianz Football League.
"It remains to be seen whether the rules will get through," O'Rourke told reporters.
"That is the hope. There's been a lot of work that has gone into it. The remit the group was given was to make it the most exciting amateur field game in the world to watch or play. That has been our focus the whole time.
"The first opportunity for everyone to see them will be the 18th or 19th, there's interpros and people get a good look at them. But with the pre-season competitions gone, the first time they would be seen would be in the National League, so it makes it interesting.
"Sometimes challenge matches can give you a wee bit of a false sense of where you are.
"And if there are a number of rule changes, that will be a different dynamic as well. So, there will be plenty of things to think about.
"If the rule changes come in, a lot of the training will be geared towards finding what the rules are, getting the players used to playing that way, and so on.
"It will definitely be an interesting time."
O'Rourke is the second Fermanagh man to take charge of the Tyrone seniors, John Donnelly having served as manager between 1990 and 1992.
The new Tyrone boss previously managed Fermanagh himself, leading them to an Ulster decider in 2008, and then enjoyed a wildly successful period with Monaghan, guiding them to Ulster titles in 2013 and 2015 and leading them to within a whisker of the 2018 All-Ireland final, where they were foiled by Tyrone in the last-four.
O'Rourke, who had been touted for the Derry job following his All-Ireland winning exploits with Glen, and had been highly sought after by Donegal two years ago, allowed his name be put forward by Errigal Ciaran, with whom he won two club championships as a player and later as a manager.
While Tyrone have been curiously stagnant since their surprise All-Ireland victory in 2021, the recent U20 All-Ireland titles (2022 and 2024) indicate the short-to-medium future should be bright.
"I suppose from living in the county and watching the team, seeing the potential coming through, it was something you saw in front of your eyes," O'Rourke says.
"When I was asked to let my name go forward, I thought, 'lookit, there is a massive challenge there.' I decided to let my name go forward and see how I get on."
Brian Dooher and Feargal Logan formally stepped down following the 2024 campaign, where their interest was ended by Roscommon in the last 12. However, reporters, somewhat jokingly, reminded O'Rourke that the last two managerial tickets won Sam Maguire in their first season - Mickey Harte in 2003, Dooher/Logan in 2021).
"That's right! I'm sure I'll be reminded of that. I didn't really need that!
"But no, you're right. And people forget that Feargal (Logan) and Brian (Dooher) and Colly (Holmes) and Joe (McMahon) won the All-Ireland in their first year and won the Ulster as well.
"That's the expectation in the county and that's great. But we know we have to be working at a really high level and get up to that level. We accept that.
"The team last year was in Division 1. It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the great work done by previous management.
"I'm very aware that they were all legends in Tyrone football. And a lot of people who have gone before them that have held this post.
"I know that I'm going to play a very small part in the overall history of Tyrone GAA. I just hope that I can do it justice.
"I've big footsteps to follow in. I know there's big expectations and I just hope we're able to fulfill them."
For the time being, O'Rourke will also remain in charge in Glen for their two-in-a-row tilt in the All-Ireland club championships.
Having retired from his role as a Head of PE in St Joseph's Enniskillen, O'Rourke says time pressure isn't such an issue these days.
"In fairness to Glen, we've a great bond built up, not only with the players but with the club and the whole community. I wouldn't want to let them down either.
"At the end of the day, it is a split season. I'm probably in a lucky enough position in that I'm retired and I'm not working in the day job anymore.
"It does mean I've a wee bit more time so I'll be able to continue to show 100% focus with the club but also be able to get the work done that needs to be done for the county. That's the way we'll be going for the immediate future."
When asked if the Derry job was ever a realistic prospect, O'Rourke admitted there had been brief talks but wouldn't be drawn on the detail.
"It might have spoken to them at one stage. That was obviously in confidence so we'll keep it that way. That's dead at this stage."
