 In the week leading up to the game there had been speculation that Gaelic Players Association members from both teams would stage a protest during the parade before the match with their socks down and jerseys out - offences punishable by fine under the GAA's match regulations.The Cork players went ahead with their pre-match protest before losing the final by 2-15 to 2-14.On 29 November, Browne and his 29 teammates from the Cork panel announced that they were withdrawing their services from the county in the hope of better treatment from the county board.