Kerry substitute Keith Evans clipped a score, but Carney, impressive once again, nailed a two pointer from play. Mayo were five clear.

Inevitably, Kerry summoned a response. The Cliffords combined to supply three points – two for Paudie and one for David, and a Graham O’Sullivan effort had the margin down to the minimum.

Kobe McDonald’s 55th minute point carried meaning for Mayo, but David Clifford had one between the teams with 14 minutes left.

Mayo embarked on a critical little burst. Flynn and McDonald struck points, and Ryan O’Donoghue guided over a gorgeous two pointer. Mayo had a cushion of five once more.

Kerry wouldn’t go away. David Clifford’s exquisite right footed two pointer was followed by a single from Paudie.

Seán O’Shea, who had carried the fight throughout, attempted a two pointer from distance, but it didn’t go over and Mayo broke clear with replacement Tommy Conroy sealing the deal with a fisted point. The Green and Red flag was proudly placed on the summit of the Gaelic Football World.

Scorers for Mayo: Darragh Beirne 1-3 (2fs), Ryan O’Donoghue 0-5 (2 2pt, 1f), Jack Carney 0-4 (2 2pt) Kobe McDonald 0-3 (1 45), Tommy Conroy 0-2, David McBrien, Jordan Flynn, and Sam Callinan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kerry: David Clifford 1-6 (1 2pt), Seán O’Shea and Paudie Clifford (1 45) 0-3 each, Joe O’Connor, Dylan Casey, Graham O’Sullivan, Keith Evans, and Tom O’Sullivan 0-1 each.

Mayo: Jack Livingstone; Jack Coyne, Donnacha McHugh, Eoin McGreal; Sam Callinan, David McBrien, Enda Hession; Bob Tuohy, Jack Carney; Diarmuid O’Connor, Paul Towey, Jordan Flynn; Darragh Beirne, Ryan O’Donoghue, Kobe McDonald.

Subs: Tommy Conroy for Towey (24), Mattie Ruane for Tuohy (53), Rory Brickenden for McGreal (53), Conor Loftus for O’Connor (58), Paddy Durcan for Callinan (65).

Kerry: Shane Murphy; Dylan Casey, Jason Foley, Paul Murphy; Graham O’Sullivan, Mike Breen, Gavin White; Mark O’Shea, Seán O’Brien; Joe O’Connor, Seán O’Shea, Tom O’Sullivan; Paudie Clifford, David Clifford, Dylan Geaney.

Subs: Evan Looney for Casey (28-30), Keith Evans for T O’Sullivan (HT), Tomas Kennedy for Geaney (51), Brian Ó Beaglaíoch for White (59), Evan Looney for Murphy (61), Micheál Burns for O’Brien (63).

Referee: Martin McNally (Monaghan).