By DARREN KELLY

FOLLOWING  the uncertainty preceding its introduction, the Senior B hurling championship proved a major success in 2023 with some of the best games of the year.

More fireworks are expected again when eight teams get their campaign underway, split into two groups of four. The winners get straight into the semi-finals, while second and third cross play in the quarter-finals. The bottom sides battle to avoid the drop to intermediate.

After league successes in June, Portumna (Division 3) and Liam Mellows (Division 2) come in as slight favourites but both are in a very difficult Group 2.

Last year’s relegated senior team Portumna go up against Senior B runners-up Ahascragh/Fohenagh who only missed out on the Daniel Reeves trophy after a replay defeat to Mullagh. Athenry are first up to try take down Liam Mellows.

Group 1 is equally competitive with new intermediate champions Ballinderreen battling Padraig Pearses in Round 1. Kilnadeema/Leitrim and Beagh also renew hostilities.

An old cliché may be that ‘anybody can beat anybody on any given day’ but the evidence is there from 2023 and despite having no Connacht or All-Ireland series for the winners, the chance to join Galway’s elite top-16 has proven to be enough motivation.

SATURDAY

GROUP 2

Athenry vs Liam Mellows (Pearse Stadium, 2.30pm)

Its’ 20 years since Athenry won their last senior title but following a disappointing Senior B campaign in 2023, new manager Niall Sunderland will hope for better fortunes. A Division 1 campaign will help as well as John Hardiman’s return as trainer. Full back Eoin Lawless plus Conor Burke and Ronan Hardiman are key performers.

Liam Mellows remain the last team, bar St. Thomas,’ to be county senior champions.  Under former Galway captain David Collins, last year’s semi-finalists won Division 2 this year.  Sean Morrissey and Mark Hughes lead the defence while Adrian Morrissey and Tadhg Haran provide the attacking options.

Verdict: Liam Mellows