Galway's Damien Comer wary of fresh Mayo challenge in 2019

Galway's Damien Comer is wary of Mayo in 2019, suggesting they will "be coming with guns blazing" in the summer.

The provincial rivals were kept apart in the draw for the Connacht SFC, but many are anticipating that the two western neighbours will still face off at some point during summer 2019.

Mayo, under the stewardship of James Horan once again, will be looking to bounce back after their early exit this year, and Damien Comer is expected a reinvigorated challenge from the men in green and red.

"They'll be eager to get back, it's the first time they've been knocked out that early in Championship in many years," said the Tribesmen forward. "It could be a thing that will do them well, their players are now well rested which they haven't had in a long time. It could work well, the freshness of a new manager as well, I'm sure they'll be eager to get their Connacht title back.

"I'm sure they'll be coming with guns blazing, especially after a disappointing year last year."

While it is an intense rivalry, the Annaghdown man feels it is a healthy one.

"You grew up watching the massive rivalries between the two and I suppose Mayo were dominant before Galway hit their purple patch in 1998 and 2001, they've often had battles up through the years.

"When you grow up living and watching that, and I wouldn't be awfully far away from the Mayo border, you work with a lot of Mayo people as well and there's a good bit of banter there.

"I don't think there's any hatred, it's rivalry, off the pitch you get on with everyone. It's the same thing. But once you cross the white line it's a different story, it's all about winning at the end of the day. No, I think it's just the nature of sport more than anything."

The two rivals will be both aiming to improve next season, as they head the chasing pack behind Dublin.