It wasn't to be for the Rebels today as a stunning second-half comeback from Tipp demolished Cork's Liam MacCarthy dreams. Here's how we rated the Munster champions.
Patrick Collins - 5
One of those nightmare days for the Cork 'keeper who will feel he could have done better for the first and third goal concessions, two high deliveries that weren't dealt with. Cork got plenty of joy off his puck-outs in the first-half, with 17 of them finding a red jersey. But it all went south after that. 5
Sean O'Donoghue - 5
Picked up Jason Forde and ensured that the experienced attacker was perhaps Tipp's least effective forward. Got on plenty of puck-outs but with mixed results distribution-wise and Forde did still get two points.
Eoin Downey - 5
A day to consign to a folder marked 'forgotten' for the Glen Rovers man who was booked twice and sent off. Fouled John McGrath for two first-half frees that were converted. Fouled him again for the penalty which Darragh McCarthy also converted. That was Downey's last act before exiting on the red card.
Niall O'Leary - 5
Scored a 14th minute point after a fine solo run. He was marking Darragh McCarthy and at that stage they'd scored one from play each. But McCarthy took off as the game went on and O'Leary couldn't handle the U-20 star.
Ciaran Joyce - 6
Kept tabs on Jake Morris and didn't have the worst afternoon, holding the Nenagh man to two points. Kept up the fight even when things were going badly against Cork.
Robert Downey - 6
Played a big part in the Cork goal, beginning the move in the same spot where his own solo run started for the goal in last year's final. Decent overall in the first-half but, like the rest of the Cork defence, found himself under siege after the break.
Mark Coleman - 6
Played the final ball for the Cork goal and was a lively performer in the first-half. But when Sam O'Farrell cut inside him at the start of the second-half and fed Andrew Ormond for a crucial point, the game started to get away from him and Cork.
Tim O'Mahony - 5
Brilliant against Dublin in the semi-final but couldn't match that performance on the grandest stage. Found himself up against Conor Stakelum and never really got into the game.
Darragh Fitzgibbon - 6.5
The first man to break away when the national anthem was complete and certainly looked fired up for action. The midfielder hit two first-half points but also registered two-wides overall. To his credit, never gave up.
Declan Dalton - 5
Won a free and converted it to put Cork five points ahead after 26 minutes. Wasn't nearly as influential as he was against Dublin in the semi-final, however, and was eventually the first player taken off after 44 minutes. Should have perhaps taken the long-range free that Pat Horgan missed early in the second-half.
Shane Barrett - 7.5
At half-time, with Cork leading by six, it looked as if Barrett was a decent shout for Man of the Match. He was sitting on 1-3 at that stage and finished with 1-4. He took his goal well and also set up Pat Horgan for an earlier score. But it all turned sour after the break. Cork's best player at least.
Diarmuid Healy - 6.5
Hit the game's opening point just seconds into the contest and three in total in the first-half. That was as good as he could have hoped for but he was peripheral after the break and was replaced midway through the second-half.
Patrick Horgan - 5
The 37-year-old hoped to cap a glorious career with the All-Ireland win he craves. But he never really got it going, scoring just once from play, albeit an excellent point off his backfoot. He struck two wides and was generally shackled expertly by Michael Breen before being taken off.
Alan Connolly - 5
For Cork to win, a goal or two from Connolly was a must but it never looked like materialising. He butchered a hand-pass intended for Brian Hayes late on when a goal was a possibility. Held to a single point overall and dominated by Robert Doyle.
Brian Hayes - 5.5
The Hurler of the Year favourite heading into the game didn't do his prospects much good. Only scored the one point and found Ronan Maher to be a limpet-like presence that he couldn't shake off. Did win two frees that Patrick Horgan converted.
Substitutes
Seamus Harnedy - 6.5
Fit again and brought on as Cork's first sub in the 44th minute. Hit the woodwork, as well as a wide though did grab one of their two second-half points.
Damien Cahalane - 6
Coughed up a foul but did his best when thrown into the maelstrom.
Conor Lehane - 5
His 60th Championship appearance was one to forget, coming on and having a penalty saved by Rhys Shelly.
Shane Kingston - 5
Took on two shots that were blocked as he chased goals late on.
Tommy O'Connell
Came on with normal time almost up. By that stage the game was up.
