This week we take an in-depth look at group three of the Galway Senior Football Championship.
Corofin
Current three-in-a-row All-Ireland champions will be looking to win their eighth consecutive Frank Fox in 2020. They will be hot favourites to win the championship again this year and progression from group three should be straight-forward.
Corofin have used the early stage of the championship to blood young players in recent years, and they will most likely do the same again this season.
The management team will also be expecting those young players who have gained experience over the last year or two to push on for starting places in what is an ultra-competitive squad.
Killannin
The outfit from the west will be very hopeful of advancing from group three this year following a disappointing 2019 championship in which they avoided a relegation battle.
Many would have thought the quarter-finals were well within Killannin’s reach last season and were backing them to push even further than that. Johnny Heaney, Cathal Sweeney and Patrick Sweeney are some of the top players in the county, alongside excellent club players Ruairi Greene and Seán Thornton.
Kilannin will be aiming to raise their standard for the coming season.
Claregalway
Claregalway appear to be best placed to challenge Corofin for top spot in group three. They ran the champions close in the group stage last year for 50 minutes before eventually running out of steam.
There is a wealth of young talent within the club with players such as Conor Campbell, Jack Glynn, Dara Whelan, Barry Goldrick and Nathan Grainger. These players, alongside the more experienced Seán Moran and Eoin Commins, look to have all the makings to be a serious outfit and will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come.
If the correct structures are in place, this team could surprise a few.
An Ceathrú Rua
The Connemara outfit avoided relegation last season with a victory over rival Naomh Anna Leitir Mór in a first-round relegation play-off. They can consider themselves lucky to have been on the receiving end of a favourable draw, or things could have been a lot tougher.
And it seems they will be scrapping at the foot of the table again this season, having been drawn into a tough group.
A victory in the early rounds will be key to build some momentum their way.
Barna
For the second year in succession in 2019, Barna were right at the heart of a relegation battle, but once again demonstrated great character to pull themselves out of it.
It is these fighting qualities that provide signs there will be an improvement this season. They have talent coming through as Seán Fitzgerald and Oisín Gormally have demonstrated on occasion already this season with their efforts for the Galway U20s.
Similar to An Cheatrú Rua, a fast start will go a long way.
St James
The Jimmies will be sick of being drawn in a group with Corofin for the third year in succession, particularly in light of the drubbing they received last season.
A first-round relegation win over Barna ensured their senior status for 2020. However, St James are still relying on the same names in the shape of Paul Conroy, Johnny Duane and Eoin Concannon as they have been doing for the past number of years.
With no sign of emerging players, it could be a tough year in store for the east Galway city side.
