Mayo coach Stephen Rochford believes that the rule changes that the football review committee introduced have been a success and improved the game.
The Westerners came out on the wrong end of a 1-18 to 1-12 scoreline against Kerry in the Allianz League Division 1 final at Croke Park on Sunday, having topped the league table to book their place in the final.
The Green and Red have adapted well to the rule changes which appear to suit their attacking brand of football and ahead of today's Connacht Championship quarter-finals, Rochford believes that this year's competition will benefit from the new rules.
"I think undoubtedly the game has improved," he said. "There was a strong need and a mandate provided to the FRC to change things up or to certainly get in under the bonnet. I think they've done that.
"The number of changes was monumental and we have a different game in some regards. Now that could sound a little bit dramatic but I think we have a game that's better.
"In fairness to the FRC they tweaked the rules in the middle of the National League because there were unintended consequences to certain rules. They've shown a good level of humility to be able to do that.
"There's probably one or two pieces there that we just haven't seen the full impact of. When a championship game gets decided because of the unintended consequences of a rule. I think that will then shine light on things but I think we just have to accept it.
"But I think I the game is in a really good place. Teams have gone about embracing it and I think we stand on the verge of a really good competitive championship for 2025."
Kevin McStay's men welcome Sligo to Hastings Insurance MacHale Park today for their opening game in Connacht.
Mayo go into the game as heavy favourites, with a semi-final against Leitrim as the prize on offer for the winners and while most observers expect that to be Mayo, Rochford is taking nothing for granted.
He said: "There's too many good teams out there and if you're thinking a game ahead or thinking two weeks down the road or anything like that, you’re going to get slapped down and you’re going to get taken out.
"I think that the National League table indicates and shows how competitive things are.
"You've seen go Sligo's performances over the last couple of weeks, they're on an upward trajectory.
"Twelve months ago, they were within seconds of knocking Galway out of the championship and Galway now are probably the favourites for the All-Ireland Championship.
"Sligo are our immediate focus, they present big challenges for us and that's where we're at.
"We look into a Connacht championship which is which is extremely competitive, we know what Sligo are going to bring and we've got to be ready for that. I believe we will."
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