It was a remarkable day but even at that it would be understandable if the Ireland camp were in funeral mode given the news about Peter O'Mahony and what everyone now knows about Paul O'Connell.
However, judging by Rob Kearney's demeanour when facing the press this morning, there's still plenty of joy left in the squad following that incredible win over the French. Although if you switched on the telly at one point following the final whistle, you may have got the wrong idea.
There was Ian Madigan bawling his eyes out as if the World Cup were already over for Ireland. He wasn't of course, they were tears of pride/joy and we all cried along with him (at least metaphorically).
Although Madigan showed us it was alright to cry when we're happy but that doesn't mean his teammates were entirely going to let him get away with it. Kearney was on hand this morning to share Madigan's new nickname with the watching world.
Yeah the boys are calling him Gazza inside there.
A bit harsh considering Gazza's tears were ones of sadness/anger but considering what we know about the camaraderie in the Irish camp it was never going to be anything else. Deep down though, you know Kearney was just as chuffed with his Leinster teammate's contribution as the rest of us were.
I think it was a day where Ian Madigan really stood up for us. We needed him to come on and really take control of things and he did, it was brilliant.
That's all well and good but in reality we all know what was really going on with those tears.
Madigan spots his barber in the crowd
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) October 11, 2015
