Confidence and craft carry the day

Cork 1-21 Galway 1-16

Make no mistake, it was Cork guile and craft, forged over a long and proud history of achievement in the Guinness All-Ireland SHC, that combined to make John Allen a winning manager in his first year, against a Galway side whose inexperience dragged them down.

And, it gave Fijian-born Seán Óg Ó hAilpín the honour of becoming the 30th Cork captain to lift the trophy after yet another inspirational display.