Galway are sitting back on the top step in Connacht as a strong second half saw them past their old foe Mayo.

A title regained for the Tribeswomen, a fifth title in six years as last year’s defeat dashed their hopes of a five in a row. Andrea Trill’s goal at the death ensured the title headed back to Galway.

It was a cagey contest until the contest resumed for the second half and Daniel Moynihan’s side kicked on. Mayo kicked just three points in the second half and despite a late surge fell short in regaining the Senior crown.

A first half that saw the sides level on five different occasions with the score shared 0-6 to 0-6 at the interval. Emma Reaney gave Galway an electric start but the Cafferky sisters Lisa and Sinead soon waved the white flag to give Mayo a 0-2 to 0-1 lead after four minutes.

By quarters end the game was tied 0-3 a piece before Rosin Leonard kicked her second of the half to give Galway the lead. Past the midway mark Mayo started to build a slender lead, Sinead Cafferky and two points from Lisa Cafferky put a two point buffer between the sides.

Points from Shauna Hynes and another Leonard score coming from her second converted free would level the tie at the interval.

Whatever was said at the break fueled the Tribeswomen to kick on in that second half. Olivia Divilly struck over the black spot either side of Nicola Ward doing similar as Galway moved three clear early on.

By the end of the third quarter it was four points as Ailish Morrissey made her return with a point. Inside the final ten it was still all Galway as Divilly furthered their lead as again the white flag was unfurled.

Mayo did make it a nervy finish for Galway as Cafferky pointed two frees to close the gap to two as the long whistle loomed. Derbhla Gower stopped a goal earlier at the other end, Trill fired home at the other to ensure the win. Despite their relegation in the league, Galway have started their All Ireland series on a high.