By DARREN KELLY

RECENT nationwide results has created a giddiness among some Galway supporters as the county’s senior football champions return to the provincial circuit on Sunday (Tuam Stadium, 1.30pm) when Corofin clash with Roscommon title holders Pádraig Pearses.

All-Ireland champions Glen are gone in Derry, their predecessors Kilmacud Crokes from Dublin have also surrendered domestic dominance, and suddenly the bookmakers are making the Galway champions favourites to win the Andy Merrigan Cup again.

There is no loose talk emanating from the parish though, still basking in their first back-to-back Galway success in five years.

The green and yellow need to look back just 12 months for a reminder that nothing can be taken for granted. The Roscommon representatives (St. Brigid’s) stopped them in the Connacht Final. And with Mayo’s Ballina Stephenites improving, they’ve plenty of hurdles in the west to overcome first.

Corofin’s success in winning a 23rd county title was down to their ability to control the narrative, one step at a time.  They were impressive in downing Salthill/Knocknacarra and Maigh Cuilinn in their last two outings.

And they, rightfully, enter the Connacht series as favourites. They are 10-time champions; they carry more experience than any other challenger. But Sunday’s opponents are not bogged down by scars and have previously held their own on this stage.

Pádraig Pearses, just outside Ballinasloe, won their first Roscommon crown in 2019 and reached the Connacht Final for their only previous meeting with Corofin. Liam Silke’s goal and three Jason Leonard points gave Kevin O’Brien’s team a 1-10 to 0-7 victory.

The red and white were back two years later and went one step further. They came out the right side of a bad tempered semi-final against Mountbellew/Moylough.

As many as 10 of that Pearses team should be involved on Sunday. And they also have experience in manager Frank Canning.  The Portumna native led his home club to All-Ireland hurling glory 11 seasons ago.

Pictured: Corofin’s Brian Cogger and Kieran Molloy have this situation under control against Maigh Cuilinn’s Paul Kelly duriing the county senior football final at Tuam Stadium. The Galway champions face Padraig Pearses of Roscommon at the same venue on Sunday.