Paul Keane: New rule fails to make its mark on first outing

It was difficult not to be reminded of Sean Cavanagh’s disquieting assessment of the new ‘mark’ rule last November while talking to Tomás Quinn after Sunday’s annual Dubs Stars challenge.

“I am at a loss as to how exactly it is all going to play out but it does frighten me to a certain extent because it is a pretty significant change,” said Tyrone talisman Cavanagh about the new rule.

The first official mark in Gaelic games was finally claimed on Sunday last, January 1, just yards away from Quinn by rookie Dublin defender Ryan Deegan who fielded cleanly from a kick-out that travelled beyond the 45m line.