It's literally a whole new ball game and Paul Conroy is enjoying it.
Should we be surprised? Probably not. The 2024 GAA/GPA Player of the Year, the oldest ever recipient of the award, is back for another year in the maroon and white for Galway. The new playing rules have provided what Conroy calls a "freshness" and he is fully embracing what this new version of Gaelic football could ultimately bring.
No thoughts then of calling it a day after Galway's defeat to Armagh in last year's All-Ireland final, a second reverse in three years for the Connacht county.
Conroy, who will be in 36 in May, has been on the Tribes senior panel since 2008. The first Saturday in January saw the beginning of what is now an 18th season with a challenge match against Kildare in Newbridge. The St James' clubman, who also claimed a maiden All-Star in 2024, kicked four two-pointers from the outside the 40-metre arc.
He also found the range with a similar result against Armagh as competitive action resumed in Division 1 of the Allianz League. A week later and Conroy was again providing much of the thrust from the middle as Galway overcame neighbours Mayo. Perfect start to the year then.
That loss to Armagh well in the rear-view mirror it would seem.
"It wouldn't be something I'd be looking back on now," Conroy told RTÉ Sport.
"You can't spend too long dwelling on past events. We had a great run to the All-Ireland final and we didn't get over the line. It was a raw for a while afterwards and then you had a decision to make. I made that decision before Christmas. I was going to go again.
"You're the player of the year and that was a great achievement. I was grateful to get it and I don't take the significance of it lightly as I know the level you have find to get that award. Onward then to 2025."
And what of the new rules?
"From speaking to players and stakeholders in the game, the reaction to it has been very, very positive in terms of playing the game," he remarked.
"The scores are up, the shots are up and the level of entertainment is up. I haven't talked to any player who would not be a fan. All good so far.
There are elements that Conroy really likes and one ruling that he hopes may be modified in the coming weeks, echoing the views of others.
"I would be a big fan of the '3 up'; the kickouts going past the 40 metres; and the two-point award from outside the arc. Handing the ball back to the player, I think that is a bit unnatural and you wouldn't like to think of a big game down the line hinging on a call where one player did not gift the ball back to the opposition.
"With the tap and go the opposing team are starting at a disadvantage in any event. Obviously they don't want fellas throwing the ball away after giving away a free, so they'll have to find some sort of a balance I think."
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A few tweaks are probably going to happen, but for Conroy the new rules "have given things a freshness" and he now feels that Gaelic football will be "transformed to a high degree" once the pitches start to harden.
"When ground conditions improve I think we're going to have a great product," he added.
"In my own position around the middle, now that teams will have to go long with the kickouts rather than going short and retaining possession, you will have more contests. The one-on-one contest is something I'm definitely enjoying at the moment. As a midfielder you should relish that and be able to influence things a lot more."
So Pádraic Joyce's side are two wins from two in the top tier.
As for the aim of winning the league, Conroy would not say it is "a priority" at this stage.
"With the new rules it's very important to find patterns of play that suit us. Some players will adapt better, some teams will adapt better. Collectively I think we're adapting well, there is a freedom there to express ourselves. Obviously we want to win every game and if you're still in the running the further on you go, well then you'll want to grab that prize."
There is, however, a bigger prize on offer come the end of July.
For now, the influential midfielder is shrugging off talk of putting to right the recent heartbreak he and his colleagues have endured on All-Ireland final day.
"A lot of teams in the running to make the latter stages of the championship and there is very little between any of them. And then you have to see each team makes the most of the new rules.
"We have a good squad of players and now the likes of Sam O'Neill and Cillian Ó Curraoin are good additions for us, giving them time to develop in Division 1 will be key. Mickey Graham, an experienced coach, is now in with us and he has brought some innovative ideas to training.
"I think what is interesting is that some aspects of the old game did not suit certain players, some of them were straitjacketed, asked to do roles where the offensively minded player had to drop back. Those players will now be on the front foot more. More opportunities then for the entertainers to show their stuff."
And there is no doubt is keen that Conroy wants to entertain. Plenty of recognition came his way at the age of 35. He'd like to have a few more reminders of his worth on the sideboard before he finally decides to bring the curtain down on his Galway stay.
Watch Allianz League Sunday from 9.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on all matches on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to updates from around the country on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
