Galway defeated Sligo by 4-9 to 0-12 in an entertaining match at Tuam Stadium.

Nicky Joyce, Michael Martin (2) and Mark Hehir struck the game-clinching goals for the free-scoring hosts, while Adrian Marren notched four points for losers.

Most of the damage was done before the interval as Galway led by 3-4 to 0-6 at half time, making sure that Sligo manager Kevin Walsh's homecoming was one to forget.

The winners were 1-2 to 0-2 to the good after 12 minutes: Nicky Joyce - back in action after a 16-month lay-off - got them off to a flier when he had the ball in the net after 40 seconds.

Mark Breheny and Michael Boyle traded points before Niall Murphy pointed for Sligo and Joyce knocked over a point for the Tribesmen.

But match-winner Michael Martin hit two emphatic first-half majors in the 19th and 26th minutes after a brace of wonderful Adrian Marren points had briefly rejuvenated the Yeats men.

Both teams kept going upon the resumption but this game was effectively over as the teams turned around with seven points between them. Tweet

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