Limerick manager John Kiely acknowledged it was "unusual" to see an All-Ireland finalist receiving no All-Star in any position after his own team collected an extraordinary tally of 12 PwC All-Stars for the 2021 season.
The All-Ireland champions' total smashes the previous record of nine, which Limerick themselves bagged in 2020 and Kilkenny scooped on three occasions, in 1983, 2000 and 2008. Nine remains the record in the football code, jointly held by Kerry 1981 and Dublin 1977 and 2020.
Only Eoin Murphy in goal, Conor Prunty at full-back and Tony Kelly - selected at corner forward - break up Limerick's near monopoly of the 2021 Hurling All-Stars team.
"All-Stars are by their nature very divisive," Kiely told RTÉ's Morning Ireland.
"And there'll be debates held the length and breadth of the country trying to select them from year to year. And there'll always be individuals who are disappointed and there are individuals who'll be surprised, pleasantly surprised.
"They're nice things for fellas to look back on when they're finished. To pick one up on your journey through your career is a nice achievement to have. But the real awards were handed out on the 22 August."
It is the first time in the 50-year history of the awards that a losing All-Ireland finalist has failed to earn a single All-Star - the lowest previously was Offaly's single one in 2000 for Johnny Dooley.
Kiely acknowledged it was something of a surprise to see Cork go without a single All-Star but added his primary focus could only be on his own team.
"It is unusual, it has to be said. For a team to be in an All-Ireland final and not to be acknowledged with one, or two or three or four or five, whatever it might be. Usually, you'd have multiples of them.
"But our focus is on our own group and the acknowledgement of their work and their achievement and their performance levels."
With an eye on next year, Kiely said most of his team had enjoyed a rest and a chance to take a break from hurling, expressing support for the concept of the split season.
Interestingly, Limerick champions Kilmallock - who meet Middleton next week in the Munster Club Championship - are unrepresented in the All-Stars team.
Perhaps sounding an ominous note for the competition ahead of 2022, Kiely said the bulk of his team had gotten plenty of rest before the season ahead.
"For most, they do. For most, they have had a great chance to switch off, to put away the hurley, put away the gearbag. Take a break from the routine, take a break from the pressures they put on themselves under in order to keep themselves fit and keep pushing the boundaries in their skill levels.
"But they've had a great break this season. There's no doubt there's merit in the split season. It gives a clearly defined space for the clubs to operate and our players have really enjoyed going back to their clubs and being able to focus on the club and being at training every night with their clubmates.
"Kilmallock are still involved and they're out next Sunday against Middleton. For most of the others, they're finished and they've had a great chance to relax and freshen up before the season begins again, quite shortly."
Follow the PWC All-Stars via our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app, or watch live on RTÉ One and the RTÉ Player from 7pm Friday.
