How the game was won:

The Corcoran factor

Although not particularly prominent in the final quarter of the game, the Erin's Own man led by example during the torrid opening exchanges. After being substituted in the semi-final win against Clare, Corcoran rolled back the years here, chasing down every ball and playing a central role in orchestrating the Cork attack. With Galway swarming him every time he took possession, Corcoran had the time and vision to place perfect balls for his team-mates, with Ben O'Connor happy to convert.

Corcoran also landed a 46th-minute point to give Cork a crucial four-point advantage. It was his last score but he was a constant worry for the Galway full-back line and was content to win his third All-Ireland medal watching Cork sling points over from distance.

Ben O'Connor's goal

Galway looked breathless in the face of Cork's ferocious and perfectly composed opening period of play and had reason to be thankful when Ger Farragher landed his first score of the day to leave matters at 0-6 to 0-3 after 15 minutes.

But two minutes later a long, direct Galway ball towards Niall Healy was met by Diarmuid "The Rock" O'Sullivan steaming out of his own patch and leaving the young Galway star on the turf, complaining he was fouled.

O'Sullivan's ball destroyed the back-pedalling Galway defence, low and flat and perfectly placed for Ben O'Connor to pick up at pace.

The Newtownshandrum man's finish was typically sweet and Cork established a lead Galway never succeeded in closing down.

Jerry O'Connor's point

With eight minutes remaining, Cork still held that one-goal advantage but crucially, their defence had tightened up notably and the Galway attack was suffocating. Earlier, Ben O'Connor had pick-pocketed a point after being perfectly placed to capitalise on a rare Ollie Canning mistake.

On 65 minutes, it was his twin brother's turn. As Galway tried to work the ball intricately along the Hogan Stand sideline, Brian Murphy deftly nipped in to intercept and feed a hand-pass to Jerry.

It seemed as if O'Connor hardly looked before striking a fine point through the Canal End posts. As he sauntered away waving an arm in the air, there looked to be no way back for the challengers.