There has been considerable criticism in recent times of the GAA's propensity for draws in major matches. Many suspect that in circumstances of this nature there is some kind of a conspiracy between officialdom at the top and referees at the bottom in order to maximise income by way of high profile draws.

If ever a draw was indicated in an All Ireland hurling final it was yesterday and yet it didn't happen as Cork squeezed through to win the last final of the Millennium by a single point leaving Kilkenny folk depressed and frustrated but with little to blame but a below-par performance by their team.

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, somewhat distracted by things like the Patten Report and other affairs, had time to lament an unusual feature of the day's events. "It is very unusual for both the minor and senior match to fail to produce a goal. Things were difficult as far as hurling was concerned because of the rain and the wet pitch but the fact that neither side scored a goal suggests that the defences of both sides won the day and the Cork attack won by the narrowest of margins," he said.

His assessment of the situation was endorsed by the former president of the GAA, Pat Fanning from Waterford: "It boils down to the fact that the two attacks were held by the two defences," he said. The former Taoiseach, Albert Reynolds, believed that Kilkenny might have brought on their substitutes a bit earlier. "They needed to change their tactics but when they did bring on their subs it was too late," he said.

The former President, Dr Patrick Hillery, was also disappointed with the match. Reluctant to admit that he would have preferred to have seen his native Clare in action he said: "I believe that both sides were capable of a much better performance. Maybe the occasion and the conditions combined to make things difficult for all the players but it was a disappointment, nevertheless," he said.

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Damien Wallace, and his wife Grace were both beaming with pleasure and satisfaction. "I thought we were in serious trouble when Kilkenny went four points ahead but our lads played with tremendous courage and all Cork is very proud of them and we will be back in two week's time to complete the double," the Lord Mayor said with typical Cork modesty.

His neighbour, John O'Donoghue, from Kerry who is the Minster for Justice, didn't want to intervene directly but considered that it had been a match of two centre half backs, Brian Corcoran of Cork and Pat O'Neill of Kilkenny. It was a reasonable judgement by a man in his position in the circumstances. "The defences were on top all through and Kilkenny's attack was well held," he said.

The Tanaiste, Mary Harney, admitted that she had leaned slightly towards Cork. "After all it was Jack Lynch who introduced me to politics and, although his health is not good at the moment, I know that he will have enjoyed the outcome." she said. The former Minister for Sport, Frank Fahy, was pleased that Galway's minors had won the All Ireland minor final. "We have produced some very good under age team in recent years and I'm sure that we will make the breakthrough in the senior category very son," he said.

His hopes were shared by the outgoing president of the GAA, his fellow Galwayman, Joe McDonagh: "I have to be slightly neutral in these matters but naturally I am pleased that another title is going across the Shannon. The senior match provided a great finish with the result in doubt until the last minute. The conditions were difficult for both sides but it was a great occasion once again. It has been a very good year for hurling," he said.

The match was attended by the Northern Ireland secretary, Mo Mowlam, but she treated it as a social, rather than a political occasion, and refused to be interviewed afterwards.