Galway without Joyce

Galway will begin their Connacht SFC title defence without last year's captain Padraic Joyce.

The Killererin forward, who turned 29 last month, is suffering with an Achilles tendon injury and has been ruled out of Sunday's Connacht quarter-final clash with Sligo.

Nonetheless, the three-time All-Star could still make the bench as the counties meet in the championship for the 32nd time.

Galway boss Peter Ford has been forced to make three changes in personnel from the side that lost the NFL Division One final to Kerry last month.

As well as Joyce, corner back Damien Burke (ankle) and wing forward Matthew Clancy (hamstring) are sidelined with injuries.

Salthill-Knocknacarra defender Finian Hanley takes Burke's place, starting at full-back with Declan Meehan and Kieran Fitzgerald flanking him. Niall Coleman, who started at midfield against Kerry, is moved into the half-forward line with his centre-field spot going to championship debutant Paul Geraghty.

Centre back Diarmuid Blake will also make his championship bow.

With Joyce and Clancy ruled out, Derek Savage reverts to right corner forward and Joe Bergin gains a start at wing forward.

Meanwhile, Michael Donnellan has been confirmed as the new Galway captain. The Salthill attacker is the third generation of his family - his father and grandfather had the honour before him - to skipper the county side.

GALWAY (SFC v Sligo) - A Keane; K Fitzgerald, F Hanley, D Meehan; A Burke, D Blake, M Comer; P Clancy, P Geraghty; N Coleman, M Donnellan (capt), J Bergin; D Savage, M Meehan, S Armstrong.