Tally predicting 'a scrub year' due to rule changes

Paddy Tally has been one of the few inter-county managers to voice concerns over the new rule 'enhancements'

Paddy Tally has called on the GAA's Football Review Committee [FRC] to listen to the concerns of all stakeholders before making any further changes to the new rule 'enhancements'.

Jim Gavin's FRC is expected to review how the rules have impacted the inter-county football game, both positively and negatively, during the rest week after the fifth round of fixtures in Allianz Leagues.

Tally is one of the few inter-county managers to voice criticism and concern over the changes that were introduced for the start of the 2025 season – and he is predicting an unsatisfactory year for all interested parties.

"I do think that anyone who understands football will say this is a 'scrub' year," said the Derry manager.

"You are throwing so many changes at teams, you are expecting people to get all this right - and it is not going to be right this year no matter what way we want to paint this."

Defending league champions Derry came from nine points down to draw against Galway and earn a first League point of the season on Saturday and face Dublin this weekend, which is live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

Tally was critical of the 12 v 11 rule, where goalkeepers are roaming up the field acting as an unmarked '12th man', after Derry's opening round defeat by Tyrone.

And he is disappointed that the commentary surrounding the games after three rounds of the league has been dominated by the rule changes.

"It is a year when no one is talking about the great players, all we are talking about is the rules.

"No one is talking about the great scores, it's 'well he only scored that because it's 12v11' or he came up for a two-point kick.

"There are a lot of things that aren't really about the game itself, so I think if we can get back to the stage where we are actually appreciating players for what they do, well I'm looking forward to that starting again because I haven't heard it so far."

Former Dublin All-Ireland-winning manager Jim Gavin and his committee have assured the game's stakeholders that no new rule is set in stone and could still be amended in 2025 by the GAA's Central Council.

"All these games are providing lots of data, lots of evidence as to what is the best way forward and it is only on reflection after Round Five, when people take a breath and say, 'What's gone on here?'," said Tally.

"Bring in managers, bring in referees, bring in players and say 'Right, what's the best way forward here?' because I don't think anyone is completely happy with what is going on.

"I think a couple of tweaks could make this really good, I really do. It wouldn't take much to make this an incredibly good game.

"In an ordinary field game you have to stop at a certain stage. You can't go any further."

Tyrone man Paddy Tally is in his first year in charge of the Derry senior footballers

Derry will take on Dublin, whom they defeated in last year's Division One league Final after a penalty shoot out, in round four on Saturday.

It is back in Croke Park, where Derry have performed well in recent years.

And they will be bolstered by the addition of defender Padraig McGrogan, who came on as a sub against Galway for his first appearance since suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury last May.

"It's fantastic news. I have seen that lad doing his rehab," Tally said.

"I've only been with him a few months now, but to see what he has gone through, it is great to see Paudie back in really good time for himself because he is a leader within the group and is so well respected within the playing group.

"Dublin is going to be very formidable in Croke Park but I'd say these boys will look forward to getting back into Croke Park and after (drawing with Galway) we should get a nice bounce in training this week."