Niall Devlin isn’t prepared to allow the new rules to diminish his spirit of adventure or curtail his attacking instincts.
Corner backs now have to deal with the constant presence of three opposing attackers in their half of the field, but Tyrone’s number four is determined to seize every opportunity to get forward.
He picked off a point in the opening day win over Derry and was in the thick of the goalmouth action when full back Peter Teague scrambled home the goal that sparked the Red Hands’ late flourish at O’Neills Healy Park.
“I got forward a couple of times there and I was happy enough to do so, but I was thinking mostly defensive stuff,” he said.
The Coalisland Fianna clubman gave a thumbs up to the new rules, which he felt suited the pace and power possessed by the squad assembled by new boss Malachy O’Rourke.
“I think it’s a lot faster, with greater pace, and I really enjoyed it.
“It was a good start with the new rules and stuff, and I thought our first half performance was very positive, along with the last 20 minutes of the second half, so yeah, happy with it, definitely.
“I have been enjoying it with the rule changes so far. I don’t know what people thought of it. Obviously, I wasn’t watching the game.”
Paddy Tally selected an experienced, almost full strength Derry side for the visit to Omagh, and with a one point lead late in the second half, the Galbally man was on course for a winning start to his Oak Leaf tenure.
“We knew Derry was going to come with a very strong challenge,” said Devlin.
“They had a lot of seasoned boys out, and look, Derry are always going to come with a strong team.
“I’m just glad to get the win, especially with a few men missing as well.”
It was in the closing stages, with a strong injection of fresh legs from the bench, that Tyrone made their move, with AFL interest Eoin McElholm cming in to kick a couple of delightful scores.
“He was class when he came on, then the likes of Conn (Kilpatrick) coming on and Rory Brennan and Mark Bradley, “said Devlin.
“The strength of the bench we had coming on there to help us was important, especially in the modern game.”
With the Errigal Ciaran contingent still to return following their All-Ireland crusade, the Red Hands look set to grow stronger in the weeks ahead.
We have the Errrigal boys and a couple of lads from injuries to come back. It will be good to get those boys filtered back in.
“Obviously, they’ll take the time off now, but it’ll be good to get them back once they are ready.”
And with All-Ireland champions next up at the Box-It Athletic Grounds this weekend, the Red Hands face another tough Ulster derby.
“It’s just about getting the bodies ready for it. We’ll look forward to the game. It’s a very tough Division One this year, probably stronger than it’s ever been, with Armagh and Donegal coming into it.”