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

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.

But it was a game that exposed some fault lines with the new rules and consolidated some fundamental truths. Not every tie can be a cracker. The goalkeeper coming up makes it too easy to keep-ball. There are a host of unintended consequences surrounding some of the most popular changes. In the end, Mayo and Tyrone did not contribute to an epic but it was a service.

Tyrone led 0-5 to 0-4 at the end of a first half that threatened to become farcical. Mayo kicked off with a spell of keep-ball for over two minutes. Eventually, Enda Hession raised his arm in a signal to instigate a set play. Runner Eoghan McLaughlin was isolated on the wing in front of the stand. They switched across to that side, he broke fast and Frank Irwin finished the move with a simple point.

Niall Morgan found his range on the 17th-minute mark to level matters. He finished with three points in total, two from play and another three missed.

The three-up rule came under scrutiny from early on. At first, it was comical, with David McBrien and Brian Kennedy trying to push each other over the halfway line. Then it became absurd. Conor Reid was issued a black card by referee Barry Cassidy for blocking a man. Mayo opted to leave two defenders back while attacking and two forwards up while defending, something some Tyrone players did not realise was an option. They protested vehemently and play was stopped before the officials realised that Mayo could take this option if they wished.

“You were thinking the black card would give us an advantage and it didn’t really,” said Malachy O’Rourke post-match. “There is a number of different things that come up now, maybe they aren’t working as was intended.” 

O’Rourke also pointed to the amount of fouling that comes because of the new kickout rule as well. Jordan Flynn produced the only two-pointer of the afternoon with a corker just after the turnaround. Another two three-up breaches brought Tyrone back into it, although Darren McCurry went for one-point frees rather than going for two in tricky conditions.

At the other end, Mayo opted to take a free outside the arc only to try and work it short. O’Donoghue went fast to Darren McHale who was blocked down. McStay wrote in his match programme notes that they are “well briefed” on all aspects and have shared their experiences with Jim Gavin.

“I believe after round five, they're going to sit down and make their decisions, and then we will all have a rule book and we will all know exactly what's on the menu for the summer,” he said afterwards.

Needing something special, the Mayo boss turned to his bench. Ryan O’Donoghue came on and landed two frees. Aidan O’Shea’s first appearance of 2025 drew a substantial roar from the home support. Irwin clipped a third point on his way to Man of the Match.

A Cathal McShane free finished Tyrone’s contribution and meant they mustered one point from play in the second half. Eoin O’Donoghue produced a critical block on the line. Ryan O’Donoghue slotted a free and after two poor wides, replacement Fergal Boland hit the target and raised a defiant fist to the stand. They march on to visit All-Ireland champions Armagh next. Tyrone welcome Kerry to Healy Park.

Scorers for Mayo: F. Irwin 0-3; J. Flynn (1 tp); F. Boland, R. O’Donoghue (2 frees) 0-2 each; D. Neary, M. Ruane, C. McHale (free).

Scorers for Tyrone: N. Morgan 0-3 (1 free); D. McCurry 0-2 frees; M. Bradley, E. McElholm, M. McKernan, B. Kennedy, C. McShane (free) 0-1 each.

MAYO: C. Reape; E. O’Donoghue, E. Hession, D. McHugh; S. Coen, D. McBrien, E. McLaughlin; M. Ruane, C. Reid; J. Flynn, D. McHale, D. Neary; P. Towey, F. Irwin, C. McHale.

Subs: R. O’Donoghue for McHale (half-time), F. Boland for Towey (46), A. O’Shea for Neary (54-64), J. Coyne for Coen (60), A O’Shea for Reid (64), S. Callinan for McLaughlin (68).

TYRONE: N. Morgan; A. Clarke, P. Teague, N. Devlin; R. Brennan, M. McKernan, L. Gray; C. Kilpatrick, B. Kennedy; S. O’Donnell, K. McGeary, C. Daly; M. Bradley, D. McCurry, E. McElholm.

Subs: S. O’Hare for (Gray (half-time), R. Cassidy for O’Donnell, M. Donnelly for McGeary (46), A. Donaghy for Daly (60), C. McShane for Cassidy (61 – blood).

Referee: B. Cassidy (Derry).