Two days before the final, on 1 September, Nazi Germany invaded Poland, and, when his ultimatum expired, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain broadcast Britain's declaration of war on Germany over the radio at 11.15am on 3 September, signaling the start of World War II.

Even with the benefit of the wind at their backs the Cork men, who were playing at Croke Park for the first time in eight years, began slowly.

Within three minutes the Munster champions were 1–1 to 0–0 in arrears as Jimmy Phelan found the net for the first time in the game with an early assault on the Cork goalmouth.

Cork captain Jack Lynch opened the scoring for his team, however, ‘the Rebels’ struggled until half-time when they trailed by 2–4 to 1-1.

The spectators sitting in the open had to seek refuge from the elements at several stages throughout the second thirty minutes of play while the press box situated in the front row of the Cusack Stand also had to find alternative accommodation.

With time running out Jack Lynch missed a number of points before Paddy Phelan sent a 70-yard free in towards the Cork goalmouth.

A sliotar from the game, with the inscription "Jim Langton - All-Ireland 1939", sold at auction in Kilkenny for €750 in March 2021.