With Liam Sammon taking over the helm in Galway, there is a genuine hope that the Tribesmen could be a force to be reckoned with this season. Ciarán de Paor looks at the strengths and weaknesses of his native county ahead of the season's start. The shackles of those post Christmas blues without our beloved GAA are slowly beginning to wear off as players and supporters eagerly anticipate the coming GAA season. The FBD league, the Dr McKenna Cup, the O'Byrne Cup and the McGrath Cup have filled the void as football pundits await the league and ultimately championship action to start. Some very intriguing appointments have been made in Gaelic football circles as counties hope to ignite their footballing fortunes. The likes of Orchard legend Kieran McGeeney has assumed the Kildare post in a blaze of publicity while over here in the west ex Galway star Liam Sammon has been entrusted with energising the Galway challenge for 2008. The 1966 All-Ireland winner and retired P.E teacher didn't initially feature as pundits speculated on who would assume Peter Forde's mantle. As Galway faltered against Sligo in last year's Connacht final you could clearly sense leaving Hyde Park that Forde's reign was coming to a close. He had brought the team to a very satisfying Connacht title in 2005 but losses to Cork, Westmeath and eventually Sligo brought his reign to its conclusion. It was confirmed two weeks later as the Tribesmen succumbed to Meath in a listless performance in Portlaoise. Since then many names had been touted for the job as supporters long for the glory days of John O'Mahony's regime. The class currently present has never been in doubt with talented young players like Michael Meehan, Finian Hanley, Niall Coyne, Nicky Joyce, Cormac Bane and Niall Coleman but enlisting a person to re-energise the whole squad and even county following has been the priority. Killererin legend Padraig Joyce who had a sparkling season for his club en route to their superb county final victory is back in tandem for another season and it's a positive return. Arguably 'PJ' hasn't been his creative self in recent seasons for the maroon and white but if his club form continues he could make a big impact in 2008. It's asking a lot for a man with nothing to prove to come back and perform like he did 10 years ago but Galway still need the Barnadearg maestro to pull the strings and lead the youngsters like Meehan and co. Football followers in the county are casting a close eye on Sammon's reign thus far as Galway face a difficult League campaign. Tough tests lie ahead for Sammon's charges against the likes of Kerry, Tyrone and Mayo. Galway began training before Christmas with a series of trial games as Sammon ran the rule over proceedings. He has brought ex player Richie Fahey, Tom Ryder and Jimmy O'Dea in as his selectors. The majority of the squad in the last few years has been retained with Sammon sticking with the experienced core. Many people within the county have expressed their opinion in recent weeks as to what Galway need to do to close the gap to the big three of Kerry, Dublin and Tyrone. 1998 All-Ireland winning skipper Ray Silke in his Galway Advertiser column recently pointed to Galway's midfield and that a solid partnership in the engine room is crucially needed to succeed. There's no doubt that Joe Bergin will be relied upon to lead the charge in that sector. Bergin has without question the physique, skill and pace but like Dublin's Ciarán Whelan at times he seems to be on the periphery when he is needed most. Bergin was instrumental in Galway's superb victory against Mayo in the first round last May but his season petered out afterwards. He performed poorly for his high standards in Portlaoise and looked somewhat jaded. Eventually he ended up at full forward as Galway faltered to the hungry Royals. Sammon needs the Mountbellew man to be in majestic form for 2008 and hopefully the new 'bainisteoir' will re-ignite 'Berger'. It will be very interesting as to what midfield partner Bergin will have as various players have been tried in recent seasons. Mark Lydon, who is a tall and rangy player from Moycullen has been touted and others vying for position include the likes of Niall Coleman, Paul Geraghty and Barry Cullinane. It's a huge loss in the midfield area that both Paul Clancy and Michael Donnellan have recently retired as both have been superb servants to Galway football. Finding that solid partnership has to be uppermost in Sammon's mind as the week's progress. Galway have began the season very positively with encouraging wins in the FBD league. Michael Meehan has been positioned at full forward where the Caltra man has been the focal point of the attack. In essence, it's the only position for the Tycooley dynamo as it places all the emphasis on his considerable talents. Peter Forde had Meehan placed at centre forward in last year's championship and it was an understandable ploy in some regards too. Meehan is one of those players like Derry's Paddy Bradley or Kerry's Colm Cooper that his team needs to be on the ball constantly to produce some magic in front of goal. Things weren't happening for him in the full forward line last year but the transfer to the '40' didn't work out well either. He was replaced in the Connacht final in the second half as Sligo's passion and resilience suffocated Galway all over the field. It was very clear though that in the Meath game Meehan when placed back at full forward returned to something like his best. Everything was fed to him, the burden was placed on him at the edge of the square to be the leader and he fed off that responsibility. In a way he hasn't really shone when placed beside Padraig Joyce because naturally Joyce has been the main man for ten years at the edge of the square. It was interesting to note that when Joyce was absent for the Meath game until the second half Meehan came to the fore. Still, there has to be a role for Joyce and Meehan to work together as these great players can play well together if they link up. Joyce isn't as fleet footed as the 1998 vintage but his role as a playmaker in chief could be a success if encouraged. If ever there's a day this year that both men click together expect fireworks. Galway have suffered three harrowing championship losses in recent seasons and it will be interesting if Sammon can instil the necessary passion, heart and consistency that has been lacking. Galway had the required traits against Mayo last year but afterwards they were clearly missing. When compared to other county squads throughout the country the Tribesmen have to be nearer the top in terms of talent but 2008 is really a year when it has to show for a long summer campaign. When you have a solid spine of Finian Hanley, Diarmuid Blake, Joe Bergin and potentially Padraig Joyce and Michael Meehan at 11 and 14 things look very positive indeed. Add in others like Declan Meehan (who has committed for another year) and the already mentioned Cormac Bane, Nicky Joyce, Kieran Fitzgerald, Damien Burke and Sean Armstrong and the team appears to be strong. Ultimately, they lacked the desire last year but if it's present this year Galway can compete at the top table. While it might be difficult to compare them to a rampant and confident Kerry or Dublin side at the moment there's no reason to suggest they cannot compete with the big trio if they have the necessary hunger. 2008 will certainly be very interesting season for the Tribesmen and Liam Sammon. Gaillimh Abú! Tweet

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