In an entertaining, tit-for-tat final, Kerry withstood the mounting pressure on them to edge out Padraic Joyce's exuberant Galway side and deliver a first All-Ireland crown for eight years.
In a game adorned by electric first-half displays by both teams' most gifted forwards, Shane Walsh and David Clifford - Walsh, in particular, lighting it up - Kerry weathered a shaky opening 35 to come strong in the final quarter, late points from Killian Spillane, Gavin White and Seanie O'Shea sending them home by four points.
'Olé, Olé, Olé' sang the Kerry crowd in the dying minutes of injury-time, as Jack O'Connor, for the fourth time in his career and in his third stint in charge had gotten the Kingdom over the line.
The Connacht champions, whose shooting efficiency was a marvel throughout, led by a point at the break against a strangely wasteful Kerry, Walsh decorating the contest with five points, two of them stunners from play.
The game remained a tit-for-tat shootout in the early phase of the second half but gradually Kerry's forward unit began to find their groove as we arrived at the final quarter.
Paudie Clifford, nervy in the first half, slipped over two vital scores. Kerry's middle third dominance was now being complemented by greater shooting efficiency.
But Galway remained resilient, coolly slotting points whenever the opportunity arose.
We appeared poised for a grandstand finish with five minutes remaining, the indomitable Cillian McDaid bursting forward to clip over his fourth point of the game.
After Damien Comer executed a rousing turnover near the Cusack Stand, John Daly was penalised for dragging the arm of Killian Spillane, a big call from Sean Hurson furiously disputed by the Galway players and supporters. Amid a sustained volley of boos, David Clifford curled over the lead score from a tight angle.
Kerry never looked back from there. As Galway's radar finally showed signs of wear and tear, Kerry showed their big-day experience, Killian Spillane and Gavin White fisting late points to ensure Sam will be returning for the first time since 2014.
More to follow...