DONEGAL begin their Dr McKenna Cup campaign tomorrow as Declan Bonner’s side host Monaghan in Ballybofey.
Bonner is expected to blood several new faces against the Farney in their season opener.
The GAA’s new rules will be on show for the first time in Donegal.
Here is a brief explanation on the changes that will be implemented, via gaa.ie
SIN BIN
The motive behind this rule is to try to reduce cynical play by implementing a penalty that encourages behavioural change.
A 10 minute sin bin has been brought in for black card offences.
The time starts when the game is restarted by the referee. The 10 minute shall traverse normal time (which includes additional time and extra time, if played).
A player can only return after the allocated 10 minute spell when granted permission by the referee.
KICK OUT
Kick is to be taken from the 20 metre line and cannot be kicked back.
All players must be outside the 20 metre line, outside the semi circle and 13 metres from the ball until it is kicked.
The ball must travel at least 13 metres and outside the 20 metre line.
It should be noted if a goalkeeper is not taking the kick out, he shall stay within the small rectangle and every other player should be outside the 20 metre line.
MARK FROM A KICK OUT
The rationale behind this rule change is to encourage teams to kick the ball further up the field from the kick out and to provide opportunities for the skill of clean catching by bolstering the existing mark rule.
A mark will be rewarded for a clean catch from a kick out on or past the 45 metre line.
A mark is called by putting hand up in the air and a player has 15 seconds to take the kick.
The mark will be awarded by the referee.
ADVANCE MARK
This rule was brought in to offer an incentive for the longer kicking of the ball into the opposition’s defensive area and to reward players who catch the ball cleanly with a mark.
The ball must be kicked from, on or outside the 45 metre line and must travel 20 metres.
A mark is called by putting hand up in the air and a player has 15 seconds to take the kick.
Inside the large rectangle a mark can be awarded and claimed, but the player must go back to the 13 metre line to take the kick, but if he decides to play on, he can be tackled immediately.
