Skipper Wes Charles and Dave Cooke scored the goals as Galway United ended a nine-month search for a home win at Terryland Park.
In a typically passionate Connacht derby both sides enjoyed periods of first-half supremacy, but Galway seized control after the break.
Charles nodded home Daryl Robson’s sublime free-kick on 49 minutes, before Cooke clipped a superb second twenty minutes from time.
On the opening evening of the eircom League season, Sligo Rovers comprehensively outwitted Galway United at Terryland Park.
The result suggested that Sligo could enjoy a productive campaign.
Sligo’s midweek defeat to Waterford United might have been classed in the mild surprise category, but Paul Cook’s charges were eager to deliver a purposeful performance in this derby.
Having claimed 22 points out of a possible 27 in their previous nine league matches, Sligo weren’t short on confidence entering Dyke Road.
It was a free flowing first half that was littered with chances and entertaining football.
Galway’s Daryl Robson was industrious in the centre of the park, driving his team forward at every opportunity but Sligo were managing to create chances too.
Matthew Judge and Raf Cretaro went close for Sligo, while Alan Murphy’s dipping volley went just over early on for Galway.
With only a minute remaining in the half Robson forced a clever finger tip save from Richard Brush when launching a venomous effort from distance.
But it scarcely mattered as Galway seized control in the second period and gleefully celebrated strikes from Charles and Cooke.
Galway United: Rogers; Keane, Fitzgerald, Lester, Charles; Russell (Cooke, 64), O’Halloran, Robson (Foley, 83), O’Brien; Murphy, Glynn (Faherty, 73).
Sligo Rovers: Brush; Coleman, Peers, McKenzie, Meredith (Foy, 73); Cretaro (Cash, 52) Boyd, O’Grady, Hughes; Kudozovic, Judge (Gordon, 52).
Referee: A Buttimer (Cork).
