With a consensus that if they had to lose, then losing to Armagh softened the blow a little, a downcast Kerry football team returned home last night to a warm welcome.
In Tralee, a crowd of 5,000 turned out to see the team, who were taken in an open-top bus through the streets. The players, touched by the turnout, were led by a pipe band to a stand in Denny Street.
The Mayor of Tralee, Mr Johnny Wall, said that while he did not begrudge Armagh their day in the sun, the better team, in his opinion, had not won. "Don't be ashamed. You did us proud," Mr Wall told the players.
Paidi Ó Sé, team manager, reminded his audience it was a long year in which Kerry had turned their fortunes around.
"In the second-half we were hit with 100 years of suppression and hard times...helicopters flying over their football grounds and all that," Mr Ó Sé said of the Armagh victory.
He said Armagh were playing the greatest football team in the 32 counties, and anyone who wanted to win an All-Ireland wanted to beat Kerry, and that was a tribute to Kerry football.
Team captain Darragh Ó Sé said: "It's hard coming home to this kind of welcome without the cup. We're young. We're down. We're not out and we'll be back."
Dara Ó Cinneide, one of the longest-serving members of the Kerry team, said: "We are very down and out and very disappointed. It's hard to see beyond today. There is a lot of despondency. But there is strong determination to come back as soon as possible.
"We have to believe what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. But in Kerry, when you play in finals, you expect to win."
Thousands also gathered in Killarney last night to welcome the team home.