Goals proved to be vital as Mayo got the better of neighbours Sligo in the Allianz Hurling League Division 3A final, winning the title without losing a game during the campaign.
Two first-half majors from Eoin Delaney and Shane Boland ensued the home side led at the break 2-10 - 0-10.
Mayo started the brighter of the sides and they opened two-point lead after four minutes through Cormac Philips, from a free, and point from man of the match Shane Boland, who scored a total of 2-07 for his side.
Sligo responded with a free to get them off the mark through Gerard O'Kelly Lynch. The sides would be level twice more before Sligo took the lead for the only time in the match on ten minutes when O’Kelly Lynch pointed from a free.
Mayo soon took command of the match when they landed two goals in the space of six minutes through Delaney and Boland and they lead 2-04 - 0-04 after 16 minutes.
Sligo reduced the gap back to three points by the 26th minute with points from Michael Munnelly and Thomas Cawley but Mayo finished the half the stronger with Cormac Philips and Boland ensuring they lead at the break by six points, 2-10 - 0-10.
After the restart, it was Mayo who added to the lead with a point from Lavin to leave seven between the sides.
Sligo replied with point from Fionn Moylan who caught the ball and send over a lovely point on 42 points to reduced the margin back to six.
Another point from Lavin, his third, put seven between the sides again to put the hosts in a strong position but Sligo were given a lifeline on 49 minutes through a Thomas Cawley goal.
A long stoppage for the injured Fionn Moylan suited Mayo as they responded with a third goal, Boland getting his second of the match.
The reply from Sligo was impressive with substitute Conor Hanniffy scoring a goal for his side from a tough angle to give them belief of a comeback.
Cormac Philips and Boland settled the Mayo ship once again despite an injury-time goal from substitute Conor Griffin.
Mayo: Bobby Douglas; Luke Connor, Danny Hill, Oisin Greally; Conal Hession, David Kenny (c), Eoghan Collins; Daniel Huane, John Heraty; Sean Kenny, Adrian Philips(0-02), Liam Lavin(0-3); Shane Boland(2-07,4f), Cormac Philips(0-5,3f,65), Eoin Delaney(1-02).
Subs: Joseph Burke for Daniel Huane 42; Sean Regan for John Heraty 65; Matthew Connor for Daniel Hill 70; Conor Murray for Luke Connor 72; Michael Farrell for Sean Kenny 78
Sligo: Declan Reidy; Kevin O’Kennedy (c), Gavin Connolly, Eoghan Rua McGowan; Joe McHugh, Niall Feehily, Niall Kilcullen; Fionn Moylan(0-02), Rory McHugh(0-2,1f); Michael Munnelly(0-01), Eddie O’Donoghue, Finnian Cawley(0-01); Thomas Cawley(1-02), Gerard O’Kelly Lynch(0-0-8,5f,65), Fionn Connolly.
Subs: Conor Hanniffy (1-0)for Niall Feehily ht; Liam O’Kelly Lynch for Fionn Moylan 54; Tony O’Kelly Lynch for Eddie O’Donoghue 65; Conor Griffin(1-0) for Joe McHugh 73
Referee: Niall Malone (Clare)
