Galway and Armagh to lock horns again in league opener

Shane Walsh of Galway in action against Ben Crealey of Armagh during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Final match between Armagh and Galway at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo: Sportsfile

Shane Walsh of Galway in action against Ben Crealey of Armagh during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Final match between Armagh and Galway at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo: Sportsfile

Galway and Armagh rekindle their rivalry this Sunday at Pearse Stadium in the opening fixture of the Allianz National Football League (throw-in: 5.15pm ).

After an eventful club season, it is back to inter-county action where the opening fixture for the Tribesmen is a rerun of the last fixture of last season against Armagh. The two teams clash at Pearse Stadium in Salthill with Galway seeking revenge over the Orchard county for pipping them to Sam Maguire.

Padraig Joyce's side boast a fully fit squad, whereas Armagh will be without Ciaran Mackin after the Clann Eireann half-back tore his cruciate ligament during last season's All-Ireland Championship run.

Last year's All-Ireland final was a thrilling contest, which saw Armagh edge out Galway by a single point at 1-11 to 0-13. Fans will hope for a contest of similar competitiveness to raise the curtain on the 2025 National Football League.

Galway were late bloomers in the 2024 football season and will be hoping for an improvement on their sixth-place finish in the league last season.

This weekend marks a new beginning in Gaelic football as the new FRC rules are set to get their first taste of competitive action. The game is set for marked changes; three players required to remain in the opposition half at all times, two-point scores, 40-metre arcs, 1v1 throw-ins, and heftier punishments for dissent and delay of play are amongst the measures that will come into effect this weekend.

 

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