John Maher has been named as Galway’s new senior football captain for the 2026 season.

The Salthill-Knocknacarra clubman succeeds Sean Kelly in the role, with the latter having held the Tribesmen’s captaincy over the past four seasons.

The 27-year-old Maher, an All-Star winner in 2024, was also nominated for the ‘Footballer of the Year’ Award after the Connacht champions’ run to the All-Ireland SFC final that year.

Manager Padraic Joyce has also selected Corofin defender Dylan McHugh as the team’s vice captain ahead of this Sunday’s Allianz League opener against Mayo at Pearse Stadium (1.45pm) for which Joyce has revealed his starting line-up (see below).

🚨 Senior Football update

We are delighted to announce that @skgaa clubman John Maher is appointed Senior Football Captain for the season ahead with @CorofinGAA Clubman Dylan McHugh appointed as Vice-Captain.

We wish John, Dylan and our Senior Footballers and Team… pic.twitter.com/hrxNZNISot

— Galway GAA Official (@Galway_GAA) January 22, 2026

🏐TEAM NEWS 🏐
The Galway Senior Football team to face Mayo in Round 1 of the Allianz Football League is announced:

GAILLIMH V MAIGH EO
📍Pearse Stadium
🗓️Sunday 25th January 2026
🕓1.45PM
📺TG4
📲Live Score updates on our X feed
📻Radio Commentary on Galway Bay FM, RnaG Spórt… pic.twitter.com/IGQ4eSAKeG

— Galway GAA Official (@Galway_GAA) January 22, 2026

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