Mick O’Dwyer’s Kildare met Galway in a final rich with expectation. Kildare led early, but Galway surged back in the second half, inspired by a crucial goal, to win 1-14 to 1-10. Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh captured the emotion of Galway ending a 32-year wait, as the west roared back to prominence.