NEW GALWAY BOSS Micheal Donoghue has named eight of the team that started last year’s All-Ireland final for Sunday’s Allianz hurling league opener against Cork.
Johnny Coen, Daithi Burke, Padraig Mannion and Aidan Harte are the defensive survivors while David Burke captains the team from midfield.
In attack Cathal Mannion, Joe Canning and Conor Whelan are the players selected that started against the Cats last September.
Interesting positional changes see Daithi Burke named at full-back, Padraig Mannion selected at wing-back and Cathal Mannion included at centre-forward.
Fringe players offered the chance to impress include corner-back Paul Huban and midfielder Adrian Tuohy.
James Skehill and Niall Burke, who both started in the 2012 All-Ireland final, are both recalled to the starting fifteen.
Galway
1. James Skehill (Cappataggle)
2. Johnny Coen (Loughrea)
3. Daithi Burke (Turloughmore)
4. Paul Huban (Loughrea)
5. Padraig Mannion (Ahascragh-Fohenagh)
6. Greg Lally (Gort)
7. Aidan Harte (Gort)
8. Adrian Tuohy (Beagh)
9. David Burke (St Thomas – captain)
10. Padraig Brehony (Tynagh Abbey Duniry)
11. Cathal Mannion (Ahascragh-Fohenagh)
12. Niall Burke (Oranmore-Maree)
13. Conor Whelan (Kinvara)
14. Joe Canning (Portumna)
15. Davy Glennon (Mullagh)
Subs
16. Colm Callanan (Kinvara)
17. John Hanbury (Rahoon-Newcastle)
18. Colm Flynn (Tommie Larkins)
19. Fergal Moore (Turloughmore)
20. David Collins (Liam Mellowes)
21. Paul Claffey (Cappataggle)
22. Andy Smith (Portumna)
23. Jason Flynn (Tommie Larkins)
24. Eanna Burke (St Thomas)
25. Gearoid McInerney (Oranmore-Maree)
26. Richie Cummins (Gort)
