These two teams had a couple of very close contests last year in Division 2A, and it was more of the same at the Dangan Sportsground on Saturday afternoon.
A late first-half try from flanker Dara Walsh, his second of the game, gave Galway Corinthians a 21-7 lead at the interval, with new winger Aiden Vetjens also touching down.
Wanderers, who fell 28-14 behind, showed their battling qualities, and led by captain Louis McDonough, they fought back brilliantly despite replacement James Kenny's 71st-minute red card.
Harry Rogers' subsequent try, crucially converted by Billy Cross, proved to be the match winner for the hosts, but Jordan Conroy and Seán Sexton both crossed late on to give the Chaps two bonus points.
Energia All-Ireland League Men's Divisions: Round 1 Results Round-Up
Energia All-Ireland League Men's Divisions: Round 1 Review
Young winger Aiden Vetjens marked his Energia All-Ireland League debut for Galway Corinthians with a fourth-minute try
Scrum action from Galway Corinthians' clash with Wanderers, which was played at the Dangan Sportsgrounds due to ongoing work on the installation of a 4G pitch at Corinthian Park
Wanderers flanker Stephen Woods and Dara Walsh, who barged his way over for a brace of tries, compete for a lineout ball
Referee John Lillis blows his whistle as a Corinthians break led by hooker Jack Boyan is called back
Former Connacht centre Colm de Buitléar is pictured in possession for Corinthians, who are coached for a second successive season by Ambrose Conboy
Corinthians winger Ned Williams tries to cut inside Seán Sexton, the scorer of Wanderers' late bonus point try
During his first season with Corinthians at this level, Ned Williams scored tries against Shannon and Banbridge as they finished fourth in the table
Wanderers' Mark O'Reilly, who combined with Simon Burke in the second row, is pictured during the first round encounter
Young out-half Billy Cross was busy throughout in the playmaking role for Corinthians, while also landing all four of his conversion attempts
Former Ireland Sevens international Jordan Conroy looks to break away from Corinthians full-back Harry Rogers
Lock Rory Glynn prepares for contact as he makes a carry during Corinthians' hard-fought opening victory over Wanderers
Influential back rower Mark Boyle, who captained Corinthians for three seasons, was sin-binned in the second half along with Connacht's Seán Walsh
Wanderers captain Louis McDonough looks to spread the ball wide, as Corinthians replacement Emmanuel Oifoh closes in on him
Flying winger Jordan Conroy got on the scoresheet twice, helping Wanderers to pocket a brace of bonus points in the end
Wanderers replacement James Kenny makes a carry during the Division 2A opener at the University of Galway's Dangan facility
