This was a welcome return to the days of silky Kingdom football, the Sam Maguire Cup safely back in its spiritual home for the first time in four years.

But this was also another sad episode in Mayo's history, their losing sequence in All-Ireland finals brought to four.

And they didn't even come close. In spite of the boost of an early goal, the Connacht champions never got over the severe attack of stage fright which had inhibited their every move right from the start.

Their defence could never cope with the twin threat of Dara Ó Cinnéide and Colm "Gooch" Cooper, who between them accounted for 1-13 of Kerry's total in a marvellous display of finishing.

Jack O'Connor became the third manager in successive seasons to win an All-Ireland in his first season in charge, following on from the success of Mickey Harte with Tyrone last year and Armagh's Joe Kernan a season earlier.

Everything Ó Cinneide touched turned to gold. He was at the centre of virtually every Kerry move, contributing seven first half points.

The Munster champions were unfazed even when Mayo stole a goal in the fifth minute.

Trevor Mortimer's cross from the right was misjudged by at least two defenders, allowing Allan Dillon to slip in and calmly round goalkeeper Diarmuid Murphy and slide the ball to an empty net.

That score gave John Maughan's side a two points lead, but that advantage was swiftly and mercilessly wiped out by Kerry.

Eoin Brosnan and William Kirby were totally on top at midfield, and the full forward line of Cooper, Ó Cinneide and John Crowley struck fear into the hearts of the Mayo defence each time they gained possession.

Ó Cinneide stroked over points from frees and play, Declan O'Sullivan and Cooper also hit the target, and playmaker Kieran McDonald was forced to drift ever deeper in an increasingly desperate hunt for possession.

McDonald hammered over a glorious free from all of 55 metres, but sadly for the westerners, they lacked the attacking power to seriously trouble the Kerry defence.

Gooch angled over a gem in the 23rd minute, and two minutes later hit a glorious solo goal. Rising high to outfield Pat Kelly, he set off on a mazy run towards goal, jinking past three defenders before slotting the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

At 1-10 to 1-3, they were cruising, and it could have been worse for Mayo, for their defence was carved open yet again, and they needed a marvellous save from Peter Burke to deny Cooper a second goal.

Kerry were in control at the break, ahead by 1-12 to 1-4, and extended the advantage with a Cooper free five minutes into the second half.

Mayo could have had another goal when substitute Conor Moran crossed to the unmarked Conor Mortimer, but his hurried shot flew over the bar.

A rash of substitutions failed to turn it around for Mayo, and Kerry, building patiently from the back, continued to turn the screw.

Cooper delighted the crowd of 79,749 with his array of skills, kicking two more delightful scores, and midfielder William Kirby brought his tally to three, powering through the middle to deed off Paul Galvin and Declan O'Sullivan.

Mayo did stage a minor flourish, but managed just two scores, from Dillon and substitue Andy Moran, and they were denied a goal by Aidan O'Mahony's courageous block on Brian Maloney.

Substitute Michael Conroy also got in for a shot at goal, but his effort was superbly deflected over the bar by the diving Murphy.

But Mayo persisted, and were finally rewarded with a goal a minute from the end, Murphy again saving splendidly from David Brady, only to see Conroy smack the rebound to the net.

But Kerry's 33rd title was already safely in the bag, and their eight points victory was flattering to an outclassed Mayo side.