GAELIC GAMES:NEW RULES were on show all across the country yesterday but as Westmeath manager Tomás Ó Flatharta rightly corrected us, the rules haven't changed at all, it is just their interpretation and subsequent sanctions for foul play.

That matters never reached anything resembling fever pitch at Páirc Tailteann in Navan yesterday meant the actual effectiveness of the new yellow-card punishments will not become apparent until a more heated affair.

Maybe when the Ulster teams cut into each other we will learn more. Definitely by the time the National League rolls around in a few weeks the stakes will be significantly raised. After that, the delegates at national congress will shape the changes that have already been firmly backed by Croke Park.

At least there was something decent to ask the managers after this poor excuse for an inter-county collision of neighbours, Westmeath and Meath.

There were two contrasting managers prowling the line here; Ó Flatharta is an old hand at this, it's strange to think Páidí Ó Sé brought him into this racket over six years ago.

"I suppose really they are not new rules," he said. "It is the punishment for bad tackles. I think we have to give it time to see how it works out from week to week. I suppose, really, if it contributes to a more free-flowing game I'm all for that.

"The referee did a superb job there today. I thought there were a few incidents where he could have maybe (shown a yellow card) but he brought common sense into it. We just need to see them over the next few weeks. We'll wait to see how they are applied."

After the now expected controversy at executive level in Meath, they finally opted for Eamonn O'Brien to replace Colm Coyle as football manager. First impressions are of a man who knows precisely what the task demands of him over the coming weeks and months. Meath corner back Shane McAnarney was the only player to be replaced as a result of a yellow card after his high swipe on Joe Clarke left referee Tomás Quigley with no alternative.

"I thought the referee applied it fairly intelligently and we couldn't complain about our sending-off," O'Brien began. "I would be happy with what I saw out there today. I think if the rules are applied with a bit of common sense I think they will work."

Did he attempt to change the player mindset, especially his defenders' natural approach?

"I briefed them on the rules. Discipline will have to be a key aspect of the game; that we don't make silly fouls that will get a fella sent off. We'll have to wait and see. It's only the first game that we've played. We'll have to see how the rules are interpreted and how the rules are applied."

So referee Quigley received the stamp of approval from everyone that matters. The common-sense issue was surely behind his decision to only black-card Westmeath's Declan McGuinness for the foul on David Bray that led to the penalty. The message sent out was clear: use reason as opposed to being a slave to the letter of the law. On that premise it was a good start.

Meanwhile, it was a chastening start for new Limerick hurling manager Justin McCarthy as his charges lost 2-14 to 0-16 to UL while new Donegal manager John Joe Doherty saw his side cruise to a 3-14 to 0-13 win over UUJ.