By DARREN KELLY

THERE may be new rules and a more attack orientated game but the leading teams are favourites to maintain the status quo as the senior football championship gets underway tomorrow (Friday).

Corofin are going for three-in-a-row but following their Division 1 League Final defeat to Tuam Stars, their neighbours will feel they’re not far from ending a 31-year famine.

Maigh Cuilinn could be the team to watch following a perfect Division 2 campaign and with their Galway representation significantly reduced this year, they’ll target hitting the ground running following two county final defeats.

Salthill-Knocknacarra have been knocking on the door and their below par semi-final effort against Corofin last year still hurts. But they’ve plenty of firepower, including John Maher and forwards Matthew Thompson, Tomo Culhane and Robert Finnerty.

While the ‘Big Four’ will be favourites to joust again in October, others enter with confidence. Dunmore MacHales, Annaghdown, Killannin and Oughterard look to go one better than last year’s quarter-final appearances.

St. James’, Mountbellew-Moylough, Naomh Anna Leitir Móir and Milltown have designs beyond a last-12 finish; while Bearna na Forbacha, Claregalway and Monivea-Abbey don’t want a relegation scrap again with St. Michael’s looking to survive upon their return to the top flight.

The four group winners advance directly into the quarter-finals; the 2nd and 3rd placed teams contest the preliminary play-offs; while the bottom side in each group battle to avoid  the drop to intermediate football.

FRIDAY

GROUP 3

Dunmore MacHales vs Annaghdown

(Tuam Stadium, 7.30pm)

Two of last year’s quarter-finalists kick off the 2025 championship in a mouth watering opener.Denis Fallon is back in charge of Dunmore MacHales but must plan this year without Danny Forde, Martin Cleary and Joe Burke. However, 2022 county and Connacht intermediate winning captain Matthew Redington is back from his travels while the club have also promoted some under-19s.

Michael Naughton (work commitments) and Liam Murphy (London) are out of Annaghdown manager Norman O’Brien’s squad while defender Ryan Sheridan misses this contest. Ethan Forde and Jack O’Neill come into the panel.

Dunmore won the Division 3A league and have Galway goalkeeper Connor Gleeson and Colm Costello back while they’ll also look to Colin Lyons, Jake Slattery, Thomas Gleeson and Padraig Costello.

Galway seniors Diarmuid Kilcommins and Damien Comer are Annaghdown’s key men with the latter ably supported by corner forwards Frankie Burke and under-20 Stephen Curley. Olan Kelly and Daragh Hegarty are other key men.

Verdict: Annaghdown.

Pictured: Richard Burrows, CEO, Bons Secours Hospital, sponsor, with representives from clubs at the launch of the Galway Senior Football Championship in The Bon Secours Hospital. Pictured are, front row, Eoin Reddington, Annaghdown, Cathal Sweeney, Salthill-Knocknacarra, Lee Kenny, Monivea Abbey, Keith Mannion, Milltown and Ted McAndrew, Kilannin. Back row: James Kennedy, Barna, Evan Ó Flátharta, Leitir Mór, Ger Davoren, Moycullen, Billy Mannion, Mountbellew-Moylough, Henry Burrows, Mike Farragher, Corofin, Jonah Culligan, St. James’, Brian Mannion, Tuam Stars, Jake Slattery, Dunmore and Cillian Noone, Oughterard. Photos: Iain McDonald.