"The better team won it by far" was the consensus in Matt the Miller's bar in Kilkenny, where disappointed "Cats" shook hands and congratulated a small enclave of brave "Rebel" supporters.
"Kilkenny didn't get off the bus. Cork deserved the win," another fan uttered at the final whistle, before making his way to compliment the Cork fans and discuss the ins and outs of the encounter. Earlier an atmosphere of excitement and confidence pervaded the medieval city.
Unperturbed by the draw in the minor match, when the "Kittens" failed to pull off the treble, fans in Langtons pub were confident of securing the three-in-a-row in the senior event.
Meanwhile, in James Stephens hurling club, the home of team manager Brian Cody, Michael O'Dwyer explained why "this is the most important match of the last two centuries".
With 28 All-Irelands each, the clash between the Cats and the Rebels was "historic", he said.
Back in Matt the Miller's, with Cork winning by seven points at five minutes to go, the dream of "the Cats getting the cream" began to fade and frustration was etched on the faces of the fans.