Mayo got their Connacht finals day off to a dream start at Tuam Stadium yesterday when their talented young minor team overcame Galway to win the provincial title.

The heavy underfoot conditions and constant driving rain made a mockery of the best intentions of both teams and many wides were recorded. Only one point, scored by Mayo's Eoin Gallagher, was flagged after the opening quarter.

After leading 1-2 to 1-1 at the interval, Mayo made a sensational start to the second-half with two goals in the space of four minutes. Barry Loftus got the first and James Gill the second when a ball was fumbled over the line.

A flurry of points by Enda O'Connell, Kieran Comer (three) and David Hanley brought the home side back into contention but they were unable to break the one goal barrier which separated the teams during the final quarter.

MAYO: J O'Hara; MJ Meeneghan, P Kelly, J Brogan; R Keane, P Coady, C Moran; J Gill (1-2), G Duffy; R Moran, PJ Padden, B Loftus (1-0); G Dillon, A Dillon, E Gallagher (1-1). Subs: J Moran for Gill, D Costello for Padden.

GALWAY: D Morris; T McGuire, K Fitzgerald, L Brady; T Broderick, M Comer, P Moloney; J Bergin, K Comer (0-3); D Burke, S Rabbitte (1-0), E O'Connell (0-1); M Clancy, D Hanley (0-2), D Newell. Subs: J Cullinane for Broderick, E Martin for Newell, D O'Brien for Rabbitte.

Referee: E Neary (Sligo).