Not since Portumna in 2009 have a club managed to retain the All-Ireland club hurling championship.
Yet, on another day where Con O'Callaghan and Cuala proved far too much for their hopeful opponents, such a feat is beginning to look almost likely.
The Young Footballer of the Year wasted little time in making his mark on the Leinster hurling final as Cuala shot out ahead of their Offaly opponents, Kilcormac-Killoughey.
A goal from the "King Con" put Cuala six points ahead, ending Kilcormac's drive for Leinster success before it really got started.
King Con is different gravy 👑 scoring goals for fun
— Brian Fenton (@BrianFenton08) December 3, 2017
King Con again!
— ciarán lennon (@ciaranlennon) December 3, 2017
King Con is right. What a talent the chap is @GAA_BEO
— Rory's Stories (@RorysStories) December 3, 2017
Collecting the ball out to the left of the Kilcormac goal, O'Callaghan's driving run incorporated a shimmy that Ciaran Carey would have been proud to call his own - Conor Slevin in the Kilcormac goal was left with no chance.
With their typically raucous fan-base in toe, Cuala continued their onslaught.
Clocking up 1-08 before their opponents managed to get off the mark, Kilcormac had to wait 25 minutes before notching their first point.
Cuala's football chants and doing the Poznan is exactly what the GAA is missing - looks like some craic down in Portlaoise
— Alex (@alexdunnesf) December 3, 2017
The Cuala Ultras made it just in time! Gwan lads! #TheToughest @CualaCLG pic.twitter.com/5SVclRK9VP
— 98FM Sport (@98FMsport) December 3, 2017
While the Offaly champions managed to score their first goal of the afternoon immediately after through Conor Mahon, Kilcormac's cause was not helped when Mahon was sent off shortly thereafter.
A reckless swing of the hurl reduced Kilcormac down to 14 men with an eight point deficit to reduce heading into the second half.
While the Offaly side would struggle to infuse any comeback attempt with the necessary momentum, they were gifted another chance of a goal when awarded a penalty early into the second-half.
Yet, with an outstretched dive to his right, Cuala's Sean Brennan did brilliantly to keep out a well-struck Kilcormac penalty and the eight point deficit was kept in tact.
Sharing a few points between them, it did not take the reigning All-Ireland champions long to make their numerical advantage count.
As the inevitability of their loss became apparent, Cuala began outscoring Kilcormac 2:1, their 1-23 to 1-09 victory not flattering their dominance throughout. An outstanding team performance from a club that could scarcely be accused of resting on their laurels, O'Callaghan wasn't the only one to catch the eye.
Sean Moran CHB for Dublin next season? He has to be in the team somewhere anyway #TheToughest #gaabeo
— Tadhg Rohan (@tadhgrohan) December 3, 2017
Sean Moran has been exceptional today. Commanded the game a six and delivered serious ball in side. He would be my POTM @MidlandsSport
— Ann Marie (@AnnMarieGuinan) December 3, 2017
With an All-Ireland semi-final against Liam Mellows of Galway to come in February, Cuala will be confident that more All-Ireland success is well within reach.
The opponent they may fear most will likely be Limerick's Na Piarsaigh, who shall face Slaughtneil in the other semi-final.
For now, Cuala and Con O'Callaghan particularly will look back on 2017 with a sense of some pride. Already an All-Ireland winner three times over this year, 2018 is shaping up to be another special year for this outstanding individual.
"King Con" indeed.
