Can Kevin Walsh and Galway throw a spanner in the works of Mayo's bid for a fifth Nestor Cup triumph in-a-row?

Under the new management of Noel Connelly and Pat Holmes, Mayo are warm favourites to emulate the Galway team that claimed give consecutive provincial titles from 1956 to 1960.

The maroon and whites have warmed up for the challenge with convincing wins over New York and Leitrim and they will be looking to avenge the 0-16 to 3-14 defeat they suffered at the hands of their arch rivals 12 months ago.

"We did what we had to in both of those games," manager Walsh remarked. "Of course there is always room for improvement but they were good professional jobs.

"Any day you come away from Carrick with an eight points win is a good result. We were happy with that and now want to build on it because we know what Mayo will bring on Sunday in Pearse Stadium."

Manus Breathnach and Tomas Flynn return to the Galway starting 15 while Patrick Sweeney is also included in attack at the expense of the injured Shane Walsh.

Cillian O'Connor, meanwhile, is named in the Mayo attack after overcoming a long-term knee injury and will line out at full forward alongside Andy Moran and Jason Doherty.

The Mayo management have shaken things up since their last league outing against Donegal with six changes in total.

David Clarke, Tom Cunniffe, Chris Barrett, Tom Parsons, O'Connor and Moran all get the nod.

Former manager James Horan expects big things from his former charges in the months ahead: "I know the mentality of those players, and I expect them to be bigger and better this year. The age profile is also very favourable. Apart from Alan Dillon, Andy Moran and Keith Higgins, I don't think any players are over 30.

"Aidan O'Shea, Cillian O'Connor, Jason Doherty … those three haven't even reached their prime yet, but they're getting stronger all the time."

Verdict - Mayo.

Galway team: Manus Breathnach; Johnny Duane, Finian Hanley, Cathal Sweeney; Liam Silke, Gary O'Donnell, Sean Denvir; Fiontán Ó Curraoin, Paul Conroy; Gary Sice, Patrick Sweeney, Tomas Flynn; Danny Cummins, Damien Comer, Michael Lundy.

Mayo team: David Clarke; Chris Barrett, Kevin Keane, Keith Higgins; Lee Keegan, Tom Cunniffe, Colm Boyle; Seamus O'Shea, Tom Parsons; Diarmuid O'Connor, Aidan O'Shea, Kevin McLoughlin; Andy Moran, Cillian O'Connor, Jason Doherty.

Match details: Sunday; Pearse Stadium; 4pm.

Referee: Padraig Hughes.

Odds: Galway 9/4, Draw 15/2, Mayo 1/2.

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