[1] Cavan were the defending All-Ireland SFC title holders.

Cavan retained the title they had won in 1947 at Polo Grounds in Manhattan, New York City.

[2][3] In a heavy wind, Cavan led 3–2 to 0–0 at half-time, but Mayo came back to lead the game.

Cavan eventually made it two-in-a-row with a Peter Donohoe point.

[4] Cavan team = 1 Des Benson 2 Willie Doonan 3 Brian O'Reilly 4 Paddy Smith 5 P. J. Duke 6 John Joe O'Reilly (c) 7 Simon Deignan 8 Phil Brady 9 Victor Sherlock 10 Tony Tighe 11 Mick Higgins 12 John Joe Cassidy 13 Joe Stafford 14 Peter Donohoe 15 Edwin Carolan 17 Owen Roe McGovern 16 Barney Cully 18 T. P. O'Reilly 19 John Wilson 20 Val Gannon 21 Seamus Morris Mayo =