For the second year in a row Ballymena United tasted Irish Cup disappointment to Crusaders.
But the aftermath to this year's defeat felt very different to the last.
Whilst there was heartache 12 months ago due to the nature of the loss there was also a lot of pride and optimism for the Sky Blues to take away from the performance.
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Sunday's defeat felt very different though. United failed to land a blow on Stephen Baxter's men over the 90 minutes, and after the game it looked like a familiar old story was emerging for David Jeffrey again.
Captain Josh Kelly looks like following a well-worn path out of The Showgrounds with Glentoran looking like his likely destination.
He's not the only player being touted for a move away with several other clubs circling their top stars.
It would be another hammer blow for Jeffrey to lose key personnel yet again, and this was not lost on the United boss in his post-match press conference.
"It would have been lovely to win the Irish Cup and everything that goes with it today, but the most important thing for me if Ballymena were successful was the European monies.
"The reality is one of the bigger clubs has been strengthened again, and our opportunity to be able to strengthen has been taken away.
"That's the reality of the world we live in, we just have to accept that.
"You don't lie down or make an excuse, you're up for a fight and there are days when you will beat the big boys and have your glory days, but over the piece that's how it is.
"I'm not going to start crying foul or have a pity party because I think the investment in the league is very good all over.
"But the reality for some clubs, and ourselves being one of them, is that gulf is there.
"With the greatest respect in the world, who were two of Crusaders' best players today? Adam Lecky and Jude Winchester.
"We couldn't hold on to them, that's the long and short of it.
"They came and did fabulously well with us, no matter what we could do we couldn't retain them, they chose to go elsewhere which is absolutely fine. But that's the reality of things.
"I wouldn't be surprised if we have to fight to hold on to some of these players. There are people who already have an interest in some of our players. That's been a constant thing, but that's just football.
"Some supporters might come out and say Ballymena don't have any ambition, but it's about resources and what you can do with them.
"If you make a list of players who have been with us under mine and Bryan McLoughlin's tenure but have moved on elsewhere and done fantastically well.
"Kofi Balmer is one prime example who just didn't go to Larne but has gone across the water.
"Leroy Millar was Player of the Year this year for Larne...I could go on until I'm blue in the face, but no-one's moaning about it, that's where we're at.
"We continue to look and get players and develop them, unfortunately the challenge is trying to retain them.
"Jude and Adam where two players who were outstanding for us...they were pretty impressive today."
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