Blaine Hughes 7
Had no shot on goal of any consequence to save, but he dealt well with the few point efforts that dropped short and was solid apart from one misplaced kick-out that was punished.
Armagh
Paddy Burns 7
Was his usual robust self and fared well on Galway substitute Johnny Heaney once Rob Finnerty was forced off. Solid without being flashy.
Aidan Forker 8
Went toe-to-toe with Galway powerhouse Damien Comer and the Armagh skipper got the better of that key duel, as well as firing over a lovely first-half point.
Barry McCambridge 8
Got the better of his battle with Galway dangerman Shane Walsh and even strode forward once again to kick a brilliant point in the first half. Capped a huge season.
Connaire Mackin 7
Matthew Tierney had been one of Galway’s most important players this season, but he got little change from the Shane O’Neills defender before Mackin left the fray on the hour mark.
Tiernan Kelly 6
Bombed forward to kick a great score early in the second half and was defensively solid, but Céin D’Arcy had the better of their battle for the most part.
Aaron McKay 8
Often slipped into the sweeper role to great effect, as well as doubling up on Shane Walsh, and ultimately came up with the goal that helped send Sam Maguire back to Armagh.
Niall Grimley 7
Crucially ended a 15-minute spell without a score for his side with a superb point and was his usual tower of strength in the middle of the park.
Ben Crealey 8
Has been a colossus all season and came up with two huge points from play in the first half. Brought the fight from start to finish on what was a famous day for the Orchard men.
Joe McElroy 7
Tagged Dylan McHugh for large spells and negated his attacking influence somewhat, while he got the all-important block on Paul Conroy at the death to deny the levelling point.
Rian O’Neill 7
Kicked one great point after the break and delivered a sublime long-distance pass into Grimley for his point. Didn’t dominate like he did in the semi-final after a great battle with Liam Silke.
Oisín Conaty 8
Had a huge game and proved a thorn in Seán Mulkerrin’s side, particularly in the first half. Finished with three superb points from play, each coming when his side were chasing Galway.
Rory Grugan 6
Was unable to have any real impact on the game, particularly on the scoreboard, and got little change from Jack Glynn, before being carted off injured in the 51st minute.
Andrew Murnin 6
Lost his duel against Seán Fitzgerald and much like his colleagues in the full-forward line, was unable to have any great impact on the game or the scoreboard.
Conor Turbitt 5
Had been in electric form coming into the final but was unable to raise a gallop with Johnny McGrath winning their battle. Was removed after just 46 minutes.
Bench 8
Stefan Campbell set up the goal with his first touch of the game, while Oisín O’Neill kicked a crucial point as their bench press marginally tipped the scales.
Manager 8
A decade of dedication to the Armagh cause paid dividends for Kieran McGeeney as he got all the big calls right and guided them to their second All-Ireland crown.
Heartbreak for Galway fans watching the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final at the South Galway Bay Music Festival
Galway
Connor Gleeson 6
Was beaten for just the second time in this year’s championship but could do little about it. Couldn’t dictate with his long kick-outs as he would have liked.
Johnny McGrath 7
Got the better of his duel with Armagh ace Conor Turbitt and had a great battle with Stefan Campbell after he was introduced.
Seán Fitzgerald 7
Dominated his tussle with Andrew Murnin and was strong at the edge of the square, although he was unable to impact play going forward as he would have liked.
Jack Glynn 6
Broke even with Rory Grugan but couldn’t have enough influence at the other end of the pitch as Galway tried to break down Armagh’s blanket defence.
Dylan McHugh 7
Had his hands on a couple of points without scoring himself as Armagh targeted his attacking influence. Was still busy at both ends but will rue missed late chance to level it.
Liam Silke 7
Kicked an early point and probably should have taken on another chance in the second half that he instead passed to Shane Walsh. Negated Rian O’Neill’s influence.
Seán Mulkerrin 6
Oisín Conaty got plenty of joy down his wing in the first half, but the Aran Islands defender fought hard until the bitter end and never threw in the towel.
Paul Conroy 8
Seemingly incapable of kicking an ordinary score with three magnificent points fired over from long-range. Blocked effort to draw it at the end will sting for a long while.
Matthew Tierney 6
Had been one of Galway’s most important link players up until the final but was not allowed into the game before being substituted in the 66th minute.
Céin D’Arcy 8
Took the fight to Armagh throughout and fired over three brilliant points, the last off his left peg to end a 14-minute barren spell. Couldn’t have done much more.
John Maher 8
Put in a barnstorming display with some huge turnovers and hits and was never far away from the action. Kicked a neat score in the first half, too.
Cillian McDaid 7
As is his wont, thundered into it after the break with two big points but will rue a crucial turnover underneath the Cusack Stand when Galway were chasing the leveller.
Rob Finnerty 7
Didn’t make it past the 11th minute because of injury and his cultured left foot was sorely missed, especially from placed balls.
Damien Comer 5
Needed a big game but was never allowed to get into the game by Forker and Armagh’s mass defence before being hauled off late on.
Shane Walsh 6
Showed well and wanted to put his stamp on the game with a lovely second-half point. Stepped up and took responsibility from placed balls but had a horror show in front of the posts.
Bench 6
Johnny Heaney couldn’t get into the game after replacing Finnerty and the Tribesmen came off second best in the bench department.
Manager 6
Pádraic Joyce was hit with a sucker punch after Finnerty was forced off so early but his side reacted well to McKay’s goal. They tried and tried but their shooting deserted them late on.
