Galway, with considerably less fanfare than a year ago, begin their national league campaign when they take on Clare at Pearse Stadium on Sunday (2.30pm).

EYES ON THE BALL . . . Galway hurling manager Ger Loughnane who will be hoping his side are focused for the challenges of the year ahead. Photo: Pat Murphy/SPORTSFILE

This is a huge year for Galway hurling with Ger Loughnane about to begin his second season in charge by taking on his native county, who are now managed by his former selector Mike McNamara.

McNamara took over from another of Loughnane's selectors Tony Considine after a traumatic year for Clare hurling.

Galway have prepared for this league campaign with a string of challenge matches but they will go into the early games without their Portumna contingent.

Galway will also be without skipper David Collins for the entire league campaign through injury. The 23 year old suffered a serious ankle injury in the Railway Cup final in October and is responding slowly to treatment.

"He's not back at the jogging stage yet, so it looks like it will take longer," said Galway Hurling Board secretary John Fahey.

Collins was named Galway captain last year when Ger Loughnane took over and the 2005 Young Hurler of the Year is a big loss.

Collins, a NHL and All-Ireland U-21 medal winner, suffered serious ligament damage when he was injured in October.

"He has been working hard to get back to fitness and is unlikely to be back before the end of the league," added Fahey.

Galway will be away for three of their five league games so a win on Sunday is important if they are to have a serious effort at winning the competition.

It would also gain some measure of revenge for last year's championship defeat by the Bannermen.

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