Eric Lavine scored a hat-trick as Galway United capped the best week of their season with their biggest win since returning to the Premier Division.

And on a night when the crowd had much to cheer, the loudest roar was reserved for the introduction on his debut of GAA star Michael Donnellan who came in at 4-0 up and within four minutes set up Lavine for his hattrick.

In the first half Lavine had hit the post while Sligo goalkeeper Nicky Broujos was busy on many occasions. But a confident Galway finally began to put their dominance into goals nine minutes after the break when team captain Billy Clery shot home after Broujos failed to gather a Neil Ogden corner under pressure from Kieran Foley.

Lavine then got his first on 63 minutes following a flowing move when volleying home a wonderful cross from 17-year-old Sean Malee.

Ogden added a terrific solo effort two minutes later when slipping past Ian Rossiter as if he wasn't there to shoot past Broujos.

It was 4-0 on 73 minutes when Malee's driven corner got the slightest of headed flicks from Lavine to enter the net.

Donnellan's introduction for his debut on 78 minutes roused the crowd further and to their delight he ran clear up the right within four minutes to cross to present Lavine with his hat-trick on a plate.

GALWAY UNITED: Hickey; Neary, O'Connor, Morgan, Quirke; Sheridan, Dolan, Clery, Ogden; Lavine, Foley. Subs: Gorman for Quirke (inj 51 mins.); Malee for Sheridan (51 mins); Donnellan for Foley (78 mins).

SLIGO ROVERS: Broujos; Charles, Rossiter, Sheridan; Davey, Birks, El Khalifi, O'Grady, Bonnar; Shannon, Moran. Subs: Kennedy for Sheridan (inj, 53 mins); Oates for Shannon (77 mins); Marshall for El Khaliffi (80 mins).

Referee: R O'Hanlon (Waterford).