The Bishop of Cork and Ross Dr John Buckley promised to invite Pope Benedict XVI to visit Cork if the county's hurlers managed to pull off the treble but the Pontiff will have to delay his trip to the Rebel County until at least next year after Cork's narrow loss.
The bishop officiated at a special Mass for the Cork hurlers on Saturday night and prior to yesterday's match he admitted he was hoping for a bit of "spiritual intervention" to sway the match.
But it wasn't to be, even though Cork in typical fashion provided what Minister for Enterprise Micheál Martin described as "outstanding entertainment". Cork manager John Allen's dream of three consecutive victories may have been dashed but the principal at the school where he teaches maths says he will still receive a rousing welcome when he returns.
Jack Durkan of Togher National School said pupils were looking forward to seeing the Liam McCarthy cup at close quarters following a historic Cork win. However, even though the dream didn't become a reality Mr Durkan insists Cork will be back to claim the title in next year's hurling final.
"On or off the field we are proud of the Cork squad . . . John Allen has done a fantastic job with these lads. He is a consummate person, a consummate professional and a humble unassuming chap. We will be back next year."
Cork Lord Mayor Michael Ahern said having Cork in an All Ireland final was "always special" and four finals in a row was "immense". The first ever All Ireland hurling final he attended was in 1956 when Cork triumphed over Wexford. He has fond memories of his first trip to Croke Park having got married the day after the final.
Meanwhile, a 13-year-old girl from Kilcorney in Millstreet, Co Cork, who wrote an inspirational poem for the Cork team to spur them on in the final said she was saddened at the defeat.
Jacqueline Healy wrote a poem for the team last year and her teacher posted it on to manager John Allen. He sent her a postcard from South Africa where he was on holiday a few weeks later thanking her for the poem and asking her to write another ditty for the team this year.
A disappointed Jacqueline said: "Jerry and Ben O'Connor played brilliantly today . . . The team has given us so much. I hope I will be writing another poem next year."