First and foremost, the excitement and pace of this game was outstanding. It was played at frenetic speed from the throw-in and my first thought was whether the combatants could possibly keep this going.

Early on I felt the mobility of the Kildare team enabled them to take hold of the game and created openings far more easily, particularly up front.

I thought Kildare's loss of Ronan Quinn would be a big blow to the full-back line and perhaps leave them a bit stretched. As it turned out their back-line came up trumps, with John Finn doing all that could be asked of him in the number three role.

There were periods in the first half when I felt Kildare were struggling to score and the goal was a must, really, after all the possession they had. As the half progressed they definitely should have put more scores on the board and although Karl O'Dwyer scored two points at a critical stage, they didn't take all their chances so well.

Instead, they reverted to defence, blocking with hard work and covering for each other, so there weren't so many passages for Galway.

Galway were doing well in midfield, especially in the aerial battles, mostly through Kevin Walsh and Sean O Domhnaill.

As the first half progressed it was clear that both defences were getting on top and the Galway full-backs, unlike their forwards, played all out for the 70 minutes. Tomas Mannion was doing a particularly good job of blotting out Martin Lynch and it's a wonder Lynch wasn't moved to an outfield position, as this might have freed him from the shackles of Mannion. The shutdown of Lynch was important as he had been one of Kildare's more prolific forwards during the campaign.

The three inside forwards of Galway were clearly struggling in the opening stages, mainly because of a lack of strength, but also because of lack of space. There were unable to win any 5050 situations and seemed to depend on the perfect ball, which wasn't coming for two reasons. First, there was too much solo work from outfield players that delayed the quick ball. Second, the blocking and hustling of Kildare didn't allow any quality balls to get into the full forwards, and quick balls especially were limited.

If you were a betting man you would have had to go for Kildare after the first half. They looked to be in the driving seat and were playing as well as they could in all areas of the field. Even the full backs, who were a worry before the match, were holding up well. Michael Donnellan did look dangerous with his runs through the middle but you had to wonder how long he could keep it up.

Whatever John O'Mahony said in the dressing-room at the break obviously worked. He must have told his six forwards, in particular, that it was time to get down to work, because they just were not gelling or making any space for one another with hard runs.

They then made it difficult for the Kildare backline with their short passing game and the Kildare men were having problems bringing the ball out. It is difficult to understand the transformation and it was a mystery why Galway didn't play like that in the first half.

The main change in the second half was that Galway created space. Donnellan and Jarlath Fallon were especially important in dropping a bit deeper around the middle of the field and opening up spaces. They finally got some ball into their fast full forwards, who were able to collect possession and shoot Galway back into the game.

Padraig Joyce's brilliant goal early in the half ignited a fighting spirit. It was clear that the opening moments of the half were door-die and all players put their shoulders to the wheel.

With the scoring chances opening far more regularly, the likes of Fallon came into the game and the Galway forward did a great job at keeping one of Kildare's main men, Glen Ryan, out of the picture. Fallon had too much pace, power and fielding ability, and his point with his left foot from the sideline was superb.

You have to question whether Kildare put in too much effort in the first half and ran out of legs in the later stages. They didn't seem to be able to close down on Galway like they did in they first half and the occasion might have got to them. When things started going a little wrong, they just weren't able to rise again or find the gear that they had found in previous encounters this summer.

Another huge factor in Galway's victory that must be mentioned is the clever kick-outs of Martin McNamara. Big men such as Dermot Earley and Willie McCreery at midfield didn't get a chance because of McNamara's phenomenal placing of they ball, especially to Kevin Walsh.

The kick-outs were as good as I've seen from any goalkeeper and this was an aspect of the Galway game that hinted at a solid preparation.

All avenues closed to Kildare in the second half as Galway called all the shots. There was no escape and Galway took over in all departments.

Pushing Niall Buckley further forward and making substitutions had little effect in bringing the goal that might have given Kildare a chance. What they really needed was some quick ball and some open space to work in but Galway were just too quick to cover, with John Divilly and Sean de Paor working tirelessly in defence.

The match really brings home the unbelievable fitness level that has come to the game, and the intensity that we saw for 70 minutes will be the standard for others to follow if they aspire to an All-Ireland title.

Galway's victory is a great achievement for the west, who I think will celebrate together after being in the doldrums for too long. This will be a tremendous lift for football in the whole of Connacht and, with O'Mahony a true man of the west, it's as sweet a victory as they come.

You have to sympathise with Kildare, who have contributed so much to a wonderful championship this summer. After beating the last three title holders along they way, it is a cruel blow to stop one step short.

A game played in such tremendous spirits is always good for Gaelic football and you couldn't have asked for anything better than this. The spirit on the field is a credit to both teams, who put in so much preparation before the game and showed so much discipline during it.

When it comes to such a huge prize as the All-Ireland there is an incredible gap between winning and losing. You have to feel happy for Galway and the west and sad for a brave Kildare side.

Mick O'Dwyer has brought them this far and they've certainly made their own niche in the game. And while it may be the end of a chapter I don't think it's the end of the story.

(In an interview Ian O'Riordan)