Joe Duggan scored a goal for Galway just before half-time, but Kerry hit four points in the second half to secure a narrow victory. The game was plagued by fouls, sixty-two frees being awarded in all.[1]
It was the first of three All-Ireland football titles won by Kerry in the 1940s.[2]
It was also the first of three consecutive All-Ireland football finals lost by Galway.[3]
With their 1940 win, Kerry reached 14 All-Ireland titles, drawing level with Dublin.[4] Dublin had been in the lead since 1892. In 1941, Kerry would take the lead; Dublin equalled the new total in 1942 but never again managed to surpass Kerry's total.[4]
^"Kerry on honour roll". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. 14 September 2009. Retrieved 14 September 2009.
^Kenny, Tom (14 April 2011). "The men who first brought Sam to Galway". Galway Advertiser. Retrieved 14 April 2011. Then, they lost three in a row, in 1940 to Kerry by 0 – 7 to 1 – 3; in 1941 to Kerry by 1 – 8 to 0 – 7; and in 1942 to Dublin by 1 – 10 to 1 – 8.