The fight for the Frank Fox Trophy begins tomorrow with the opening round of this season's Galway senior club football championship.
With 17 teams competing, this year’s event comprises two groups of six and one group with five, which means one from the group of five will have a bye in each round of games.
This year’s groups are:
Group 1: Maigh Cuilinn, An Spideal, Annaghdown, St James, Milltown and Naomh Anna Leitir Mor
Group 2: Oughterard, Caherlistrane, Salthill-Knocknacarra, Corofin, Killannin and Barna
Group 3: St Michael's, Dunmore McHales, Claregalway, Mountbellew/Moylough and Tuam Stars
The first games throw in tomorrow evening (Friday ) with both the senior and intermediate champions of 2022 in action.
Title holders Maigh Cuilinn will face An Spideal in Pearse Stadium, while intermediate champions Dunmore McHales will play St Michael's in Tuam Stadium, both games are scheduled to throw in at 7.30pm.
After years of close calls, Dunmore finally make their return to the senior ranks and they will be looking to consolidate their place at this level early on. However, they will come up against tricky opponents in St Michael's, who, along with Killannin, have been the most improved teams in recent times.
Maigh Cuilinn, having narrowly lost last year’s All-Ireland club final after winning their first Frank Fox in 2020, are sure to go close again this year. It will be interesting to see just how much Seán Kelly’s influence will be missed in the early rounds while he is in America.
Saturday sees two games each being played in Tuam Stadium, Pearse Stadium, and Kenny Park.
Tuam looks to have the pick of the bunch with Salthill-Knocknacarra, who came so close in 2022, starting their campaign against Corofin, who have recently welcomed back a fully-fit Kieran Molloy and a returning Liam Silke.
Corofin’s last title was in 2019, and since then they have lost to Mountbellew/Moylough in a semi-final, final, and quarter-final in 2020, 2021, and 2022.
The second game in Tuam sees Claregalway come up against Mountbellew/Moylough. Mountbellew finally broke their long wait for another county title in 2021, but lost to Maigh Cuilinn in the semi-final in 2022. Their talisman Michael Daly was sorely missed last year with a knee injury, but there is hope he will return at some stage this year.
Claregalway, on the other hand, have continued to win all around them at underage, but have struggled making the breakthrough at senior level. With Jack Glynn, Nathan Grainger and Conor Flaherty all in America for the opening rounds, it will be difficult for them to get a win on Saturday.
First up in Kenny Park sees a struggling Annaghdown face a St James' side that narrowly survived relegation last year. Both clubs welcome the return of their respective county stars which should ensure a competitive outing.
Secondly, Oughterard, who also survived relegation in 2022, will play Tommy Joyce’s Caherlistrane in what should be an even game - one where both sides will think they can come away with the valuable two points.
Finally in Pearse stadium, Milltown will play Naomh Anna Leitir Mor, and Killannin will play Barna. All four sides are fully capable of causing an upset on their day, and it would be no surprise to see any of them progress from their groups.
Fixtures:
Group 1: Friday July 28, Maigh Cuilinn v An Spideal, Pearse Stadium 7.30pm; Saturday July 29, Annaghdown v St James, Kenny Park 2.30pm; Milltown v Naomh Anna Leitir Mor, Pearse Stadium 3.45pm.
Group 2: Saturday July 29, Salthill/Knocknacarra v Corofin, Tuam Stadium 4.15pm; Oughterard v Caherlistrane, Kenny Park, 4.15pm; Killannin v Barna, Pearse Stadium, 5.30pm.
Group 3: Friday 28, St Michael’s V Dunmore McHales, Tuam Stadium, 7.30pm; Saturday 29, Claregalway v Mountbellew/Moylough, Tuam Stadium 6pm.
Tuam Stars receive the bye for the first round.
