Confusion, kickout fouls and black card concerns – Mayo and Tyrone provide proper stress test of new rules

There are a host of unintended consequences surrounding some of the most popular changes.

STRESS TEST: Jordan Flynn and Aidan O'Shea return to the Mayo squad with both Mayo and Tyrone putting the new rules to a proper stress test. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

This is what they needed. Not that anyone concerned will necessarily realise that. Mayo might accept they desperately needed a win and got one in what was a drab match overall. It was intriguing, though far from entertaining. And it was necessary. The game needs contests like this.

In the end, Kevin McStay’s side were full value for a two-point victory. They finished with five of the final six points while Tyrone were ultimately reduced to 14 after Michael McKernan received a second yellow card for a heavy tackle on Davitt Neary.