All-Ireland finalists Galway looked like they would run away with the game when they raced into a three points lead after four minutes but wayward shooting meant that they only led by 0-8 to 0-7 at half-time despite great work by Michael Donnellan and Derek Savage.

Galway again held an edge after the restart but while they added four more points they were not to score for the final 28 minutes of a final watched by 22,262.

Mayo's challenge improved when Maurice Sheridan and James Nallen were introduced and they clawed back the deficit.

They never led in the game until two minutes from time when corner-forward Marty McNicholas kicked what was to be the winner after Sheridan had levelled the game moments earlier with a free.

The victory comes hot on the heels of Crossmolina's All-Ireland club success and Mayo will now enter the Connacht championship with renewed confidence.