Champions Corofin look a class apart as Co. title race kicks off

SENIOR club football championship returns for another year as All-Ireland club conquerors Corofin kick off the defence of their Galway title with a potentially tricky opener against old rivals Salthill/Knocknacarra at Kenny Park, Athenry on Saturday.

While there will be some changes in the Corofin line-up due to injuries and retirements, manager Stephen Rochford should still have a strong squad at his disposal for a first round tie against a somewhat unknown quantity in Salthill/Knocknacarra.

Now under the direction of former Galway forward Val Daly, it would appear the City outfit has begun a rebuilding programme by turning to a plethora of younger players with the prolific Sean Armstrong and several others no longer involved.

At any rate, Daly has a job on his hands against the top team in the country this week. For while Salthill/Knocknacarra may have contested a county final just two years ago – losing to Corofin – and, indeed, won the Frank Fox Cup in 2012, their star has been on the wane since then.

That said, it will be an interesting weekend of football with – and this is open to correction – five fixtures pitting teams against each other in senior championship action for the first time, namely Mountbellew/Moylough v St. James’, Caltra v Kilkerrin/Clonberne, Annaghdown v Carna Caiseal, St. Michael’s v Cortoon Shamrocks and Tuam Stars v Kilconly.

Although some of these have clashed in league matches, a trawl through the records would indicate these are novel SFC ties. What is also novel about this weekend is that of the 20 senior clubs in action, only six return with the same manager they had in 2014. These are Billy Joyce (Killererin), John Concannon (Milltown), Frank Doherty (St. James’), John Kenny (St. Michael’s), Alan Flynn (Tuam Stars) and, of course, Rochford (Corofin). An amazing turnover.

Meanwhile, the weekend’s championship action kicks off with the intermediate football meeting of 2014 Connacht junior holders, Aran Islands, against Monivea/Abbey at Pearse Stadium on Friday. (See fixtures for details of intermediate championship games).

SATURDAY

Corofin v Salthill/Knocknacarra

(Kenny Park, Athenry, 3pm)

It is back to brass tacks for All-Ireland champions Corofin and manager Stephen Rochford. Since claiming the Andy Merrigan Cup, there have been changes aplenty in the panel, with forwards Gary Delaney and Alan O’Donovan dropping back to intermediate and Ciaran McGrath (knee), Kieran Fitzgerald (knee), Greg Higgins (hip) and Daithí Burke (hand) all sidelined through injury.

Galway U-21s Kieran Molloy and Colm Brady have been added to the senior panel although it remains to be seen if they will see action in the opening round as they are currently exam-tied. Consequently, the onus will be on their county contingent, including Gary Sice and Michael Lundy, to lead the charge on Saturday.

Salthill/Knocknacarra has turned to former Galway sharpshooter Val Daly to lead them back to prosperity. With the two Armstrongs – Gearoid and Sean – no longer involved, and Gearóid Canavan having emigrated to the United States, it is understood Salthill/Knocknacarra will turn to youth, in particular their current U-21 side. Defender Conor Halloran is 2015 captain.

Verdict: Corofin.

Last SFC meeting: 2013 (County Final) Corofin 2-13, Salthill/Knocknacarra 0-7.

Match odds: Corofin 1/8; Draw 12/1; Salthill/Knocknacarra 5/1.