The Galway hurlers have a new captain as well as a manager for the coming season.
New boss Shane O'Neill has chosen 26-year-old wing-back Pádraic Mannion to lead out the Tribesmen for his debut season.
The Ahascragh-Fohenagh clubman has two All-Stars to his name, was nominated for Hurler of the Year in 2018 and started in Galway's 2017 All-Ireland victory over Waterford.
He'll be deputised by Kinvara man and former young hurler of the year Conor Whelan who's been named as vice-captain.
Galway GAA are delighted to announce that Padraic Mannion (@AhasFohGAA ) will captain the Galway Senior Hurlers in 2020.
Conor Whelan (@kinvaragaa ) is appointed Vice Captain for the season ahead.
We wish Padraic and Conor every success in their roles. pic.twitter.com/zuTeWSIfWT
— Galway GAA (@Galway_GAA) January 17, 2020
The change marks the end of David Burke's reign as Galway Captain who had held the role since 2016 and led the side, which was then managed by Micheál Donoghue, to lift the Liam MacCarthy Cup for the first time in 29 years in 2017.
Galway have a Walsh Cup final to look forward to this weekend as former Na Piarsaigh manager Shane O'Neill targets his first bit of silverware. They take on Wexford in MW Hire O'Moore Park from 4pm on Saturday.
Since winning that All-Ireland two years ago the Tribesmen have suffered from inconsistency - winning a Leinster title and reaching an All-Ireland final in 2018 before not making it out of Leister's round-robin system in 2018.
Micheál Donoghue's departure as manager last August then came as a shock to many and pointed to tensions with elements in the county board.
In the aftermath of his resignation, there was then understood to be huge frustration amongst players with the administration before O'Neill was finally appointed in November after months of speculation as to who would take over.
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