By DARREN KELLY

IT’S a case of out with the old and in with the new ON Saturday as Galway’s senior footballers kick off their National League Division 1 campaign at home to Armagh (Pearse Stadium, 5.15pm).

The game has multiple new rules that should encourage more attacking football. And the county’s premier ground in Salthill finally has lights installed making evening games a feature this spring.

But while it’s potentially a new dawn for Gaelic football, the pain of the previous battle still lingers six months on. Galway GAA would have dreamt about All-Ireland champions competing in this historic fixture but the fact it’s the visitors that hold Sam Maguire does continue to hurt.

That being said, Padraic Joyce and the players will look forward to a new season where the quality of their forwards can allow them to flourish. After maintaining their top flight status last year despite multiple injuries, the Tribesmen have a clean bill of health.

As the former county captain enters his sixth season as manager, there’s also been change in his backroom team. Coach Cian O’Neill has left for Kerry but John Concannon and John Divilly remain, while Dave Morris and former Cavan and Leitrim boss Mickey Graham have been added to the backroom team.

All the key players in their march to last year’s All-Ireland Final, which included Connacht championship success against Mayo, remain including player of the year Paul Conroy, and fellow All-Stars Johnny McGrath, Dylan McHugh, John Maher and Robert Finnerty.

Damien Comer and Shane Walsh have come through pre-season in good health and will have a key role during the league.

Goalkeeper Connor Gleeson, defenders Seán Fitzgerald, Jack Glynn and Liam Silke started all 10 championship games in 2024. Cein D’Arcy, captain Sean Kelly, Matthew Tierney and Cillian McDaid were also regular starters.

Johnny Heaney, John Daly, Sean Mulkerrin, Liam Ó Conghaile, Kieran Molloy, Daniel O’Flaherty and Tomo Culhane  also played a major role in them coming close to reaching the Holy Grail – the latter kicking the winning point in their memorable quarter-final victory over Dublin.

Eoghan and Paul Kelly, Niall Daly, Jack McCabe and Ciarán Brady are not involved this year but Joyce does welcome Salthill-Knocknacarra’s Matthew Thompson, Tuam Stars’ Shay McGlinchey and Dunmore MacHales’ Colm Costello, who all played in their recent challenge with Kildare.

Pictured: Galway’s Cillian McDaid aims for the posts as Ben Crealey of Armagh gives chase during last year’s All-Ireland Football Final at Croke Park. The teams renew rivalry at Pearse Stadium on Saturday evening.