This was a fully deserved victory for Kerry. The big difference between this performance and some of their previous games was that everybody on the team contributed a huge amount to the outcome.

The application of each of the individuals was on a scale above anything we had seen this year, and the inconsistent effort that they had displayed in some previous games was replaced by a fiercely spirited response. Even when Galway looked threatening in the 15-minute spell just after half time, when they actually got ahead by a point, there was never any real doubt that Kerry were going to win.

At that stage, the two scores of Sean de Paor and Tommy Joyce were very hard earned. Kerry were shooting with far more consistency, even if a lot of them went wide.

That may have demoralised a lot of other teams, but their self-belief shone through and they then had a devastating spell when they outscored Galway seven points to two.

It was also in that period when Maurice Fitzgerald stamped his class and authority on the game. His vision, fielding and work-rate were all phenomenal, and the point that he scored in the second half inspired everybody.

But I was so thrilled for him, because in some ways we have suffered with him this summer, knowing how good he was and yet seeing him deliver a little short of his talent. To see his class shine through so radiantly here was wonderful.

In talking about the overall team performance, I would say that the platform for this victory was established in the defence. Seamus Moynihan once again led by example and inspired all of those around him. He always handled the ball safely, but some of his fielding was truly special. He also quietened the threat of Paul Clancy and then of Padraig Joyce.

But you have to give credit as well to some of the switches made by Paidi O Se. Moving Tomas O Se to centre back certainly worked, but Michael McCarthy was also immense at corner back.

Galway will certainly feel that they didn't play to their full potential, but that will have to go down to the improvement that Kerry made. The problem for Galway was that they couldn't produce that same level of improvement.

Now, I hate tolling the bell for any player, but some of them will feel they don't have too many tomorrows. There are so many demands on players these days that they may not want to go on for another season, but it's still been a fabulous three years for John O'Mahony.

The beauty of this victory was the style in which it was achieved. Kerry played some delightful football and it's a fitting reward to all the players because they have brought great credit to the game since they've come into the scene in the mid 1990s.

I think we will see a lot more of this Kerry team, but in a way, Paidi O Se has had the last laugh. People derided him a little bit this summer, but he's now won two under-21s, two Sam Maguires, and a league title. If that happened in any other county it would guarantee him sainthood, but of course Kerry judge people by different standards. Still, it's time for everybody to salute him.

In an interview with Ian O'Riordan