Cork came agonisingly close to ending a near 20-year wait for the Liam MacCarthy Cup, but it was Clare who claimed All-Ireland hurling glory in extra-time on Sunday.
A couple of contentious incidents has left fans of The Rebels feeling hard done by, after what was a thrilling encounter on a day where the teams were borderline inseparable.
A clutch free from Patrick Horgan at the end of regular time ensured that the sides finished level at the end of normal time.
Historically, the score would have set up a replay between the Munster counties but instead the fixture went to extra-time.
Seeing an All-Ireland hurling final sent to extra-time was certainly a strange site and it was a break from tradition which caused confusion for those both sat in Croke Park and at home.
The players from both teams had given it everything in the normal period, so it was only natural that cramp and fatigue set-in after the restart.
The pundits on RTE were quick to show their displasure with the move, even before extra-time had started and they were not the only ones.
John Mullane claims extra-time 'unfair' on Cork
Waterford hurling legend John Mullane questioned the decision to favour extra-time instead of a replay, sharing his sympathy with Cork fans and players alike.
Mullane, who was speaking on The-Throw-In Podcast, also gave light to the confusion in the ground, stating that some supporters had attempted to leave Croke Park before realising that extra-time awaited.
A lot of people in the aftermath said Jesus was it a bit unfair that some of these players were going down with cramp having trained all year - that why didn't the game go to a replay?" he said.
"I would agree that a replay would have been the best outcome considering what went into it.
"Actually a lot of Cork supporters were after leaving the stadium not knowing that there would be extra-time and they all had to come back in again."
It was as heartbreaking a defeat as Cork have had in the 19 years since they last won the All-Ireland Championship, especially when they beat Limerick to survive before ending their five-in-a-row bid with another win weeks later.
Cork will have a long time to dwell on a disappointing end to their season but Mullane believes it has been a very good year for Pat Ryan's side.
'When they reflect on the year as a whole it has been a very, very good year," Mullane reflected.
"It is a year that Cork have made massive strides.
"Look, you can't say next year that Cork are going to win it because Clare have shown with all their talent coming through from their underage success, it took them 11 years to get back.
"But I don't think Cork will be waiting too long to get back and I think their time is coming and it is not too far away.
"They are going in the right direction and hopefully Pat Ryan and the management team will stay on and guide them for 2025 and the future."
He has hit the nail on the head given that Cork did not even make it out of Munster in either of the last two seasons.
But the fact they do not have a replay to look forward to in a couple of week's time will be a bitter pill to swallow for The Rebel County.
