They've finally done it: after winning in Chicago and twice on home soil, Ireland finally beat the All Blacks in a test in New Zealand on Saturday morning.
The historic result means Ireland have now beaten the All Blacks four times in their last seven outings, and it was a fully deserved win in a controversial game.
There were countless brilliant performances on the Irish team, with Tadhg Beirne, Caelan Doris, Johnny Sexton, and Josh van der Flier all putting in huge shifts.
One man, however, stood above all else. Munster's Peter O'Mahony was the hero of the day, popping up in every breakdown and even contributing a ludicrously good 50-22 which ultimately led to the final score of the match for Ireland.
It's no secret that O'Mahony is one of the greats of his generation of Irish rugby players - and the Irish public paid tribute to his excellence in the aftermath of the game.
Ireland 23-12 All Blacks: All hail Peter O'Mahony
It was an historic occasion in Dunedin on Saturday, as Ireland took a first test win over the All Blacks on New Zealand soil. After last week's defeat in the first test of the three-game series, Saturday's win was an emotional affair for Irish fans.
Ireland make history as they beat New Zealand in Ireland for the FIRST TIME 😱
FT: 12 - 23 🇳🇿🇮🇪#NZvsIRE pic.twitter.com/6urEcqOkWv— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 9, 2022
Fucking hell.
They actually went and did it. History book stuff.
How am I supposed to go and just live my normal life now?#NZLvIRE— Cian Ó M 🏉 (@RugbyKino) July 9, 2022
There is actually 4 yr old kids knocking about who since they were born @IrishRugby have won more times than lost to @AllBlacks , those kids will be turning 5 soon.#NZvIRE #NZLvIRE @threeredkings @Overthehillprop
— Barry O'Sullivan (@barrysul) July 9, 2022
Surely we're 10minutes away from Monday becoming an unofficial bank holiday #NZLvIRE
— Marty Cassells (@CassellsM) July 9, 2022
Ireland's win against the All Blacks was one of the biggest achievements in the country's rugby history, but it was not without controversy.
Despite excellence across the park from Ireland, they were on the end of some shocking refereeing decisions in the first half. Needless to say, many of the Irish public were less than impressed with the decisions from referee Jacko Peyper.
What red card? #NZLvIRE pic.twitter.com/iAC3xXPuAM
— John O'Sullivan (@NotoriousJOS) July 9, 2022
Did peyper just say “unfortunately I have to give him a red card” 🤦🏻♂️ #NZLvIRE
— Brett Igoe (@brettruganalyst) July 9, 2022
Sorry my bad they did have cover 👀 #NZLvIRE pic.twitter.com/DUqdA859hw
— Linda Tracey 🇮🇪 🔴⚪⚫ (@LindaTracey19) July 9, 2022
Thankfully, the officiating did not cost Ireland, and they were able to take a decisive 23-12 win thanks to two tries from Andrew Porter.
Porter was excellent, alongside many others in green, but Peter O'Mahony was the darling of Ireland's eye in the aftermath of the full-time whistle. The reaction from the Irish public ranged from appreciation for his terrific mentality and rugby brain, to affection for his beautiful moments of shithousery.
Massive fan of O’Mahony taking his gun shield out mid-fracas so he can shit-talk the All Blacks with more clarity #NZLvIRE https://t.co/d70VpKk8Ia
— The Travelling Reserve (@TravelReserve) July 9, 2022
Watching Peter O’Mahony kick a 50:22 makes life feel like it might actually be worth living #NZLvIRE
— Patricia (@_PatriciaV_) July 9, 2022
I don't want to get carried away but we should immediately rename all of our roads and bridges after Peter O'Mahony.#NZLvIRE
— Richy Craven (@RichyCraven) July 9, 2022
When you gotta pick your onions at 10am and destroy the all blacks for lunch.#NZLvIRE pic.twitter.com/uJg3pdyOpG
— Estebantz (@ActingTheGom) July 9, 2022
So O'Mahony is POTM surely
Like the out of 10 player rating for today's performance seems defunct#NZLvIRE— The 2nd Row (@the2ndRow) July 9, 2022
The History makers. Some showing. Peter O’Mahony will probably drive the team bus back to the hotel too. Unreal.
☘️ #NZLvIRE— Bernard O'Toole (@BernardOToole) July 9, 2022
O'Mahony is the best back row out half hybrid in the world
— John O'Sullivan (@NotoriousJOS) July 9, 2022
What a rugby player Peter O'Mahony is
— Michael McCarthy (@McCarthyMick) July 9, 2022
There are games where you need strength. There are games that need skill. There are games where you need perfect execution of a game plan.
And there are games where it gets messy, you need to be everywhere, and you need to show #want.
Peter O'Mahony is #want in human form.— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) July 9, 2022
I love how much I'd dislike O'Mahony if he didn't play for Ireland.
— John O'Sullivan (@NotoriousJOS) July 9, 2022
Peter O'Mahony is a player most teams crave to have in their side, a workhorse of a player! And that 50:22 was a thing of beauty too! #NZvIRE
— Llion Rhys (@LlionRhys2) July 9, 2022
Jaco Peyper asking Peter O’Mahony if he’s playing on like he’s gonna say anything but “yeah I have a few more pricks to smash”
— Will Owen (@will_owen9) July 9, 2022
PETER O'MAHONY
WAR GOD with a funt of a 50-22#NZvIRL— IrishWomensRugbySupportersClub (@IrishWomens) July 9, 2022
Peter O'Mahony. That's it. That's the tweet.#NZvIRE
— Eric Fitzgerald 🇵🇸 🏳️⚧️ (@mrericfitz) July 9, 2022
God I love Peter O'Mahony. #NZLvIRL
— Michael Brophy (@mickbrophy) July 9, 2022
Peter O'Mahony. A true national treasure getting the appreciation he deserves after a historic first win for Ireland against the All Blacks down under.
SEE ALSO: Ireland Shafted By Poor Refereeing In Surreal First Half
