United in concern, but a result the priority for Derry

Allianz Football League   |   Derry vs. Kerry Celtic Park, Sunday, 12:30pm

Derry have at least one advantage as they prepare for the visit of Kerry to Celtic Park this weekend - they are a game ahead into adjusting to the new rules of the game which have taken all the headlines after week one.

Rather than focusing on the nature of Derry's loss to Tyrone last week, all the talk has been of the new rules, which, as Paddy Tally and many others predicted beforehand, would take some getting used to. That seems something of an understatement now as be it the 12th man, or the 50-yard penalty for dissention, the 'free-flowing' nature of the game has been called into question, with the new rules and regulations something else for players and managers to get use to, whilst they also think tactically, methodically and analytically for each opponent.

As well as making the game more entertaining to watch, the new regulations are designed to try and stamp out abuse towards referees, and make the game more respectable overall.

If you speak back to a match official in the new rules for arguing against a free that was given against you, the ball will be brought 50 metres closer to your own goal as punishment.

Derry fans who didn't journey last weekend will see these rules for themselves this Sunday at Celtic Park, and make their minds up accordingly, but above all else, a win for Derry - long overdue after two recent painful defeats, will ultimately be their priority.

Kerry, who ended Derry's Championship hopes in each of the last two years - in the 2023 All-Ireland semi-finals, and again last year at the quarter-final stage, haven't played a competitive game since last July's All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Armagh, with last Sunday's scheduled League opener against Donegal postponed.

The game was cancelled last weekend due to the Ulster champions being unable to make the journey on the back of Storm Eowyn, which leaves Jack O’Connor’s side at a disadvantage against opposition who have already had a competitive runout under the new rules.

For O'Connor, who has dedicated what many believe will be one final season to the Kingdom, the new rules can only mean one thing - trouble.

"I can't see how that’s not going to cause trouble down the line. What’s wrong with just dropping the ball?" he asked.

"Just drop it on the ground where the foul occurred, but I can see a situation where you're handing the ball to a fella, he does a solo and go, runs into you and the referee doesn’t know who fouled who… do you know what I’m saying?

"I can see that causing fierce bother - It is entirely unnatural. When you're growing up the first thing you are taught is don't hand the ball to the opposition player - roll it along the ground or put it somewhere else where he can't take a quick free.

"It will take a bit of getting used to and the penalty is so severe you are going to have to get used to it - that's unless they change it."

Derry's Gareth McKinless in action against Kerry in last year's All-Ireland quarterfinal at Croke Park. (Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile)

For Tally, who has aimed for consolidation this year, and who knows the importance of a result on Sunday, the extra '12th' man is not only a distinct attacking advantage, it also means the attacking team could retain possession all too easily.

"Well it happened in the first half," he said after the defeat to Tyrone, "It doesn’t matter what time of the game it is, if you have an extra player in possession, players aren’t going to jump out of it.

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"What actually happened with the second goal was the goalkeeper came up and because the players had to decide to go to close the keeper because he was at the two point shooting arc, they dropped off the man in behind.

"So it gets to the stage when you are asking, what is the best thing to do? It’s great if you have a keeper that comes up to do it, it is a real bonus, but I don’t feel that’s the way the rule was meant. Are you going to drop your goalkeeper and have an outfield man in goals? It’s a hard rule to get right."