KIERAN MCGRATH AND Keith Kelly will make their championship debuts for Galway in Sunday’s Connacht SFC opener against Roscommon.
Manager Alan Mulholland has included the pair in the full-back line alongside captain Finian Hanley for the clash in Dr Hyde Park.
Forwards Damien Burke and Sean Armstrong, neither of whom featured in last season’s disappointing championship run, also make their return to the Tribesmen’s starting XV.
Armstrong missed the final weeks of the Division 2 league campaign after he suffered a bruised leg bone in training, but has recovered in time to take his place at wing-forward.
Roscommon boss Des Newton has selected a familiar looking side for Sunday’s opener with Senan Kilbride, Darren McDermott and Donie Shine leading the attack from the full-forward line.
Galway: Adrian Faherty; Kieran McGrath, Finian Hanley (c), Keith Kelly; Garreth Bradshaw, Johnny Duane, Gary O’Donnell; Joe Bergin, Greg Higgins; Gary Sice, Damien Burke, Thomas Flynn; Sean Armstrong, Paul Conroy, Mark Hehir.
Roscommon: Geoffrey Claffey (c); Seánie McDermott, Niall Carty, Seán Purcell; Cathal Dineen, Peter Domican, Ian Kilbride; Michael Finneran, Karol Mannion; David Keenan, Cathal Cregg, John Rogers; Senan Kilbride, Darren McDermott, Donie Shine.