An outbreak of polio in Cork led to the game, like its hurling counterpart the previous month, being postponed by the Central Council of the GAA following a request from public health officials in Dublin, who were worried by the prospect of large numbers of Cork people descending on the city.

Again Cork fought back to get within a point of Galway, but then Purcell received a pass from Jackie Coyle out on the wing.

Galway went eight points clear before Cork staged one of the most remarkable comebacks in All-Ireland final history.

First Purcell pointed a free, and then seconds later took a sideline kick and, with great accuracy, found Stockwell who swivelled around and put the ball over the bar.

The win gave them their fourth All-Ireland title over all and put them joint fifth on the all-time roll of honour along with Kildare and Tipperary.