It looked like Mayo would be on the end of another defeat when David Clifford – widely considered one of the greatest players of his generation, perhaps even of all time – netted to put Kerry in control in the early stages.
But Mayo dug deep and fought back, and trailed by a single point at half-time.
Things changed four minutes after the restart when Darragh Beirne finished off a flowing move to put Mayo into a lead they would not relinquish.
Kerry, as great champions do, never folded and there was a late scare as the pressure grew, but Mayo were not to be denied in a three-point victory.
The tears and emotion at the final whistle meant everything.
Manager Andy Moran, a former Mayo player and in his first year in charge, went to his wife and family in the stands.
The new generation, such as Beirne and the superb Aussie Rules-bound Kobe McDonald, soaked in every moment on the Croke Park pitch.
There was over 80,000 people in attendance, and for those in green and red, plus the many neutrals in attendance, there was barely a dry eye in the house.
While the so-called ‘curse’ is one thing, Mayo also wore a special white jersey in a final for the first time since 1951 due to a clash between the green home kit of Kerry. Perhaps it was fate.
“To every man, women, boy and girl in Mayo, wherever you are, dream big things,” said captain Jack Coyne, who delivered one of the all-time great speeches before lifting the Sam Maguire.
“Anything is possible and we’ve shown it today. I’m over the moon.”