Former Mayo footballer Conor Mortimer says new rules woud have suited him

Former Mayo footballer Conor Mortimer says the new rule changes would have suited him back when he played.

As players around the country prepare for the third round of the Football League, the new rules are becoming more familiar with every training session.

The opening games have seen more room for attackers, with the three-v-three rule leading to more chances for forwards.

Reflecting on what he has seen so far, Mortimer said the new rules would have benefitted him.

"Provided the ball came in fast, I would have liked to play in today's game. A lot of the new rules are what it was like for me for all my career, it was one-on-one a lot of the time.

"Typically speaking, if you beat your man, you are in shooting range of a score. From 2012 on when Donegal

"I think teams have yet to adapt to the long kick, they are still taking a little bit out of the ball.

"When teams are doing something for seven or eight years, it is going to take time. There are still 11 behind the ball if you slow down the play.

"In terms of the hop and solo, it is kind of a hybrid game like the AFL, which suits Mayo, we like our half-backs to bomb forward."

During his time with Mayo, Mortimer was one of the most dangerous forwards in the game.

However, in 2012, with Mayo managed by James Horan, he stepped away from the panel and admitted the years that followed were not easy.

“When I left that time, I don't know what you'd call it, a bit of a hissy fit or whatever with Horan at the time. I'm probably more regretful than anything else.

“I felt I had a couple of years left in me at that level, that was probably the hardest bit for me. I didn't deal with it greatly at that time, and I didn't deal with it great after because I was watching Mayo playing,