If it's summer, it must be Galway. The footballers of Leitrim can't seem to be able to step outside the door at this time of year without bumping into the high-flying maroon county. John O'Mahony is still revered around Leitrim for leading the 1994 revolution, but they could do without these annual re-acquaintances now that he is managing Galway.

Last year represented Leitrim's best campaign since that emotional breakthrough, when they surprised many by progressing to the Connacht final - where they were comprehensively defeated by Galway. "We were very disappointed with our opening phase of play in that match, I think that we were left chasing the game," remembers manager Joe Reynolds, who has quietly harnessed the best of Leitrim's talent into a side capable of challenging the more populous counties, of upsetting the odds.

"But when we reviewed our experience, it was essentially positive in that it allowed our players to feel what it is to play in a major championship final and to witness the reaction to that in the county. Also, it convinced a number of players, such as Benny Guckian and Adrian Charles, that there was enough young talent coming through for them to return and help bring it on." No one has predicted anything other than a sweeping Galway win in this fixture over the past few years, and results have borne out such narrow-minded thinking. While Leitrim have provided their share of "shocks", it is hard to envisage how a county which survives on wit and graft can overcome a traditional power enjoying its most distinguished period in three decades.

"We are used to hearing that point of view and, to be honest, it has no real affect now," Reynolds says. "We know Galway is a team any county would be cautious about playing. They stand alone with Kerry in terms of the respect they command now. But we certainly don't see this as a foregone conclusion, and we know we can cause them problems if we can impose ourselves from the outset." If that is to happen, Leitrim will have to convert every chance that falls to them. At the moment, Reynolds is beset by a number of injury worries.

"The team that won in 1994 was the maturation of a squad that had been in development from the start of the decade," Reynolds says. "This particular unit are probably mid-way towards that period. We have good lads coming though, people like Michael Duignan and Shane Canning, lads who backboned the minor side that won the Connacht championship. "And there are more coming through. But it takes time to develop, and meeting teams like Galway is a part of that."

That Leitrim have the consolation of a second chance should the Connacht champions push them aside is of dubious comfort to Reynolds.

"I honestly think the system is there to benefit teams like Galway more so than the likes of ourselves. I support it from the players' perspective, since the whole summer isn't riding on one game. But we always hope we can upset teams like Galway on a oneoff basis. This system neutralises that shock and ensures that the bigger teams can't be caught on an off-day."

It would, after all, be somewhat cruel if Leitrim were to execute the most stunning win imaginable only to find themselves facing Galway again somewhere down the line. Once a summer is enough.

"The second chance doesn't change what the championship is about whatsoever. We want to win as many games as possible, starting Sunday."