[26] The GAA announced on 10 September that a special Football Stars of the 1980s team, a specially-chosen line-up of players who were unsuccessful in winning an All-Ireland medal would be acknowledged before the senior final.

[27][28] Dublin made one change to the starting team from the semi-final, with Philly McMahon replacing Kevin O'Brien at right corner back.

[29] The Mayo team was unchanged from the semi-final win against Tyrone, with Cillian O'Connor named at corner-forward after recovering from a dislocated shoulder.

Andy Moran, Lee Keegan, Keith Higgins and Cillian O'Connor all scored points to give Mayo a lead of 0–4 to Dublin's 0–1.

Bernard Brogan equalised for Dublin by scoring his and the game's first goal, a deft flick of the ball over Mayo's Ger Cafferkey and goalkeeper Rob Hennelly at the Hill 16 end.

[33] Andy Moran scored a goal in the 50th minute to draw Mayo level, beating Stephen Cluxton with a low shot under his body.

Denis Bastick sprinted forward and hand-passed to the unmarked Brogan who flicked the ball two handed to the back of the net for his second goal.

[36] Man of the Match: Bernard Brogan[37] Linesmen: Cormac Reilly (Meath) Padraig O'Sullivan (Kerry) Sideline Official Michael Duffy (Sligo) Umpires Tommy O'Reilly Ciarán Brady TP Gray Jimmy Galligan Dublin captain Stephen Cluxton accepted the Sam Maguire cup from GAA president Liam O'Neill in the Hogan Stand and gave a speech in which he thanked the Dublin panel, selectors, and back room team for their work throughout the year.

[40][41] Referee Joe McQuillan said after the match that he told O'Connor "there's 30 seconds left, There was absolutely no suggestion that it would be after the kick-out or anything like that, Immediately after the game some Mayo players said to me that 'you said there was going to be another play', but I never said that because there is no such thing as that.

"[42] Speaking in November 2013, Cillian O'Connor said that he assumed that the 30 seconds would be incorporated after Stephen Cluxton's kick-out and acknowledged that it was a mix-up for which Joe McQuillan wasn't culpable for.

[43][44] Mayo manager James Horan felt that basic errors cost his team saying "We had enough ball to win the game but we made too many basic mistakes, Our handpassing let us down, Quite simply the ball has to stick, Coughing up needless possession is killing in an All-Ireland final, We created the chances, but we didn't get the return that was required.

Kevin McStay, Eamonn O'Hara and Ciarán Whelan picked the winner from three candidates which also included Lee Keegan from Mayo and Michael Darragh MacAuley.

The award was presented by GAA President Liam O'Neill and Michael Lyster at the Dublin team's celebration banquet at the Gibson Hotel.