Rebelettes boss Ephie Fitzgerald was staying positive after Cork's second All-Ireland Ladies Football final loss in three years.
"We started fairly well. Dublin put a press on us in the first quarter. I think that had a big bearing on the game," he told OTB Sports' Aisling O'Reilly.
Just after half-time, Carla Rowe netted a penalty for the Dubs that seemed to shift the momentum. Cork had led at the break.
"The penalty was a big turning point in the game as well. It came from a turnover from us. There are some disappointing things but there are a lot of positives in it for us as well."
Ephie Fitzgerald on Dublin's dominance
"Dublin is a formidable outfit. They're physically very, very strong - they're very mobile and they use that very well."
Before the game, Cork captain Doireann O'Sullivan had spoken about Cork's relatively young team. Fitzgerald spoke up about the Dub's experience.
"Most of the forward line have been playing together for ten years. They have an awful lot of experience and their conditioning levels are top-notch."
Ultimately, it was the Dubs' ability to finish off the game that gave them the win.
"At the end of the day, once Dublin get their nose in front and sniffs that bit of blood, they're very good."
A long year for Cork
"I'd have to be pleased with the effort my girls gave. They gave it everything, but unfortunately on the day, they came out a bit short," Fitzgerald said.
"Nobody sees the amount of effort the girls have to put in particularly to get to training and that.
"Cork is a huge county - we've had girls traveling a couple of hundred miles a night to get to training."
There were no fans at Croke Park to cheer on the Rebelettes, which Fitzgerald was quick to dismiss.
"When you're on the pitch people focus on what's going on out there. It certainly wouldn't be anything we'd be thinking anyway."
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