Champions Corofin aim to complete remarkable six-in-a-row
REIGNING All-Ireland, Connacht and Galway club champions Corofin begin the defence of the Frank Fox Cup with a first round fixture against 2017 intermediate holders Claregalway as the new look championship format gets underway this weekend.
Having adopted a Champions League style format, every team will now have at least four SFC fixtures in the championship and in terms of developing players and marketing Gaelic football in the county, that can only be good.
The new structure will also allow clubs to build their senior team over a series of championship games – for at the end of the day it is all about championship – and this should benefit those contenders looking to break the stranglehold of six-in-a-row chasing Corofin.
On the undercard of Corofin’s clash with Claregalway at Tuam Stadium on Sunday are two teams – Tuam Stars and Annaghdown – who will have aspirations of dethroning Kevin O’Brien’s men.
Annaghdown came agonisingly close to turning the world on its axis when almost ending Corofin’s five-in-a-row dream at the semi-final stage last year. With a plethora of inter-county players in their ranks, they will be eager to prove that performance was no flash in the pan.
By the same token, Ja Fallon will be looking to ensure Tuam Stars – who lead the Galway SFC role of honour with 25 championships, followed by St. Grellan’s and Corofin on 20 and 19 titles respectively – are in the shake-up when it comes to the business end of the competition and, perhaps, qualify for their first county decider since 2012.
Last year’s finalists Mountbellew/Moylough commence their campaign with a fixture against Kilconly, who were in the relegation final in 2017, at Kenny Park, Athenry on Saturday. If that runs to form, Michael Donnellan’s charges should put their first points on the board.
Of course, with five in each group, it does mean a number of clubs all have byes this weekend. They are St. James’ (Group 1), Barna (Group 2), Naomh Anna Leitir Móir (Group 3) and Moycullen (Group 4).
For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.