For the first time in maybe five or six years, Derry will have their full quota for pre-season and the commencement of the National League.
Although, Oakleaf and Slaughtneil star, Brendan Rogers would have no complaints if his club were still going strong in the All-Ireland series, their availability can only be of help to the county.
“For the last couple of years, lads maybe weren’t coming back until the end of March and that could have been ten of the team.
“This is a significant difference from and maybe we’ll get some good preparation ahead of this year and hopefully we can build upon having a bit of team morale without boys coming and going in the middle of the year.”
Rogers continues to speak about the new rules which will be implemented for the Dr McKenna Cup before being reviewed ahead of the league.
The dual player believes that a review into the fixtures calendar would have been a more relevant issue for the relevant bodies to discuss, as the life of a dual player grows near impossible.
“Two years ago it was very easy to do with how the fixtures were laid out.
“Last year we played Kildare in a football Qualifier on the Saturday and then we had to go and play hurling on the Sunday, there can be no doubt that was very tough.”
The Derry defender or hurling forward continues to speak about the new rules and his thoughts on them, a turbulent last six years, his hopes for the year in the full article available in this week’s Gaelic Life.
To read the full article including the usual columnists and features, pick up this week’s Gaelic Life, in shops and online now.
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
Get the app for the best Gaelic Life experience
