‘Close calls don't cut it’ - Rebel legend Brian Corcoran laments Cork’s All-Ireland famine after last win in ’05

It's been a case of close, but no cigar for the Rebels in 2013 and again this year after an extra-time defeat to Clare and while Corcoran reckons the belief to end the famine is within Pat Ryan's squad, they are back at square one heading into the new season with a cut-throat Munster series already standing in their way.

"It's the longest break we've had. We'd a close call in 2013 and a close call this year as well, but unfortunately, close calls don't cut it," Corcoran told the Irish Independent. "At least now there is a team there and a belief there that they know they can win it.

"The Munster Championship is going to be very difficult next year and with some of the away games they have [Clare and Limerick], there are no guarantees. When we won in 2005, it would be hard to believe that Cork would never win again within the next 20 years, but unfortunately, that's what's transpired.

"They could have won in '13, they could have won in '24, but unfortunately didn't and when you look at the likes of Patrick Horgan, who's still there. He came on the panel in 2008, which is only two years after I left, for him to be 16 years in and not have an All-Ireland, that's never happened in the history of Cork before.

"But I suppose it is what it is and hopefully they can rectify that now next year and he'll get the one he deserves. But there are no guarantees.

"You can talk about fairytales but fairytales don't always happen, usually they don't so you kind of have to take it as it comes and be willing to live with the consequences either way."