Mayo were crowned Connacht minor football champions for a 41st time following a comfortable 0-13 to 0-7 victory over Galway in Castlebar last evening.

Niall Hurley and Ronan Clarke combined for 0-9 in a game which Sean Deane's charges led from start to finish. When the local rivals met in the group stages, Mayo had 14 points to spare and while Galway were more competitive this time, they never looked like turning the tables.

With conditions ideal for football, top-scorer Hurley - whose twin brother Dara lined out alongside him in the full forward line - grabbed the first two points before Colm Costello replied from a free for the visitors. Clarke opened his account from another placed ball before Stephen Curley left the minimum in it again.

After Hurley and Costello (free) traded further points, Mayo scored three without reply per Hurley, Clarke and midfielder Luke Feeney (mark) to take a 0-7 to 0-3 lead into the break.

Feeney's midfield partner Jack Keane extended the hosts' advantage after the restart before Galway responded with a long-range free from centre-back Cillian Trayers. Vinny Gill was also on target for the Tribesmen, but Mayo had too much for them as scores from goalkeeper David Dolan ('45), Dara Hurley aand substitute Zac Collins sealed the win.

With five wins behind them, Mayo can now look forward to an All-Ireland quarter-final against Kildare, while Galway must regroup for a last-eight clash with Leinster champions Dublin on Sunday.

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