Liam Sammon's Galway senior footballers will open their Connacht SFC campaign against John Maughan's Roscommon in the quarter-finals next year.

Newly-appointed Galway senior football manager Liam Sammon is planning for Roscommon in next year's Connacht quarter final. Photo: Brendan Moran/SPORTSFILE

Last Sunday night's championship draw has pitted Sammon's charges against a Roscommon squad which will be flooded by a host of new talent from the 2006 All-Ireland minor winning team.

Maughan, a former Mayo manager, has enjoyed plenty of clashes with Galway down through the years and he will fancy his chances of claiming a big scalp, particularly if the recalled Frankie Dolan can recapture past glories.

This is no easy draw for Galway, who will look to improve dramatically on their championship performances in 2007.

Under Peter Ford's management, the Tribesmen lost the Connacht final against Sligo 1-10 to 0-12 and exited the championship following a 2-14 to 1-14 defeat against Meath in the qualifiers. Meanwhile, provincial champions Sligo will have to overcome Mayo if they want to get back to the showpiece decider.

Sligo travel to London in their first title defence with Mayo awaiting the winners in the semi-final.

It is Leitrim's turn to make the long journey to New York and the winners of that game will meet Galway or Roscommon in the last four.

Mayo have been installed as the bookies' favourites to reclaim the Connacht title and John O'Mahony's men are quoted at 11/10, with Galway available at 11/8. Galway are a 20/1 shot for All-Ireland glory, Mayo are at the same price with Sligo rated as 150/1 outsiders. Maughan's Roscommon are a 200/1 chance.

2008 Connacht SFC draw.

Quarter-finals
New York v Leitrim
London v Sligo
Galway v Roscommon

Semi-Finals
Mayo v London/Sligo
Galway/Roscommon v New York/Leitrim

Comments (0) »

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment