By DARREN KELLY

COUNTY champions St. Thomas begin their quest for a historic six-in-a-row but know the road is full of dangerous challenges. They will be fancied against Gort this Sunday, but the other game scheduled for Kenny Park between Craughwell and versus Sarsfields has been called off due to the sudden passing of Galway hurling legend Jimmy Cooney.

Turloughmore against Portumna is a tasty opener for the senior hurling championship on Friday evening, while Kenny Park also provides another intriguing double header on Saturday. Clarinbridge against Oranmore/Maree is not as straight forward as some think, while Castlegar and Ardrahan are determined to make an impression.

Last year’s runners-up Loughrea get underway at Pearse Stadium. And Sunday’s two games in Ballinasloe give Cappataggle and Tommy Larkins a chance to show their credentials against Kilconieron and Killimordaly respectively.

FRIDAY

GROUP 2

Portumna vs Turloughmore (Duggan Park, 7.30pm)

Jimmy Heverin returns as Portumna manager but is without five players from last year Full back Conor O’Hare has transferred away while Owen Treacy is injured. In attack, Andy Smith has retired; Ronan O’Meara takes a year out, while Jack Canning (eye) misses this game. Much will depend on centre back Martin Dolphin plus attackers Declan McLoughlin and Joe Canning.

Darren Shaughnessy and Brian Holland take over in Turloughmore and have a settled panel. However, injuries will rule out Kevin Hussey, Sean Loftus, Fergal Moore and Barry Callinan for Friday. Daithi Burke leads the team from centre back with Sean O’Hanlon and Sean Linnane vital wing forwards.  Cillian Whelan operates beside Ronan Burke in the full back line.

Verdict: Turloughmore

Pictured: THE TEAM TO BEAT: St Thomas’ players celebrate last year’s county final replay win over Loughrea. The champions are chasing six titles on the trot in 2023.