By Darren Kelly

What a difference a year makes! Derry and Galway collide again this Saturday (Celtic Park, 5pm) in Round 3 of Division 1 of the National Football League having seen a contrasting run of fortunes since their 2024 clash in the same competition.

Back then, Derry were riding the crest of a wave. They’d won the McKenna Cup; Glen were All-Ireland champions; and they would march on to National League success, which included a 3-10 to 1-11 win over the Tribesmen.

Mickey Harte’s charges could do no wrong until they ran into Jim McGuinness’ Donegal in an Ulster quarter-final that saw their decision to press the kick-outs exposed under old rules, with the concession of four goals.

Even though they did make the All-Ireland quarter-final, four championship defeats spelled an end to the three-time Tyrone Sam Maguire winner’s stay. Former Galway coach Paddy Tally, who served under Kevin Walsh in 2018, stepped in in November.

Last February, Galway were carrying the equivalent of a full team on the injured list, struggling for results and just about maintained their top-flight status.

However, while they never really found full fitness, provincial final success against Mayo got them back on track; they avenged that league defeat to Derry in the group stages; before coming-up one point short of Armagh in a heartbreaking All-Ireland final defeat.

Roll on the first two competitive weekends of 2025 under new rules and things couldn’t be different. Derry have two defeats (after conceding two late goals against Kerry), while Galway are kicking two-pointers for fun and are top of the table, having accounted for Armagh and Mayo.

Starting with the hosts, it feels like a transition has hit them but former Tyrone player Tally has built up an impressive CV, having also managed Down, and coached his native county and Kerry to All-Ireland glory.

Teams are dealing with the new rules differently, and Derry stood off Tyrone in a 2-13 to 1-9 defeat in Round 1. They were more assertive against the Kingdom two weeks ago, only going down 5-15 to 1-24.

Derry had seven changes from last year’s All-Ireland quarter-final loss with the debut of Neil McNicholl instead of Odhran Lynch in goal the standout selection. McNicholl is a midfielder with his club Glenullen.

Pictured: Sam O’Neill, seen here in action against Mayo’s Sam Callinan a fortnight ago, has started both of Galway’s league games so far. Inset: Sean Kelly, seen here in action against Mayo’s Enda Hession, has impressed at wing-back. Photos: Joe O’Shaughnessy.