The Irish media has gone into meltdown after their national rugby team's history-breaking win over the All Blacks.
Ireland's major news websites all led with their side's epic 40-29 victory in Chicago as they whipped the country into a celebration of national fervour after finally claiming the All Blacks' scalp
after more than a century of trying.
"After the Cubs had ended their 108 year drought, there was something in the Chicago air. It's been a long time coming. Just the 111 years, that's all. But at last, that black stain in Irish rugby has been removed, with a first ever victory over the All Blacks in 29 attempts," wrote the Irish Times' senior rugby correspondent Gerry Thornley.
"Soldier Field crackled with atmosphere, vast swathes of the 63,300 bedecked in green watched Ireland dominate vast swathes of the first-half and kept counter-punching in a riotous rollercoaster of a second half, ultimately outscoring the back-to-back world champions and runaway winners of the Rugby Championship by five tries to four, and thus end their world record 18-match sequence of test wins."
Thornley rightly lauded Ireland's refusal to wilt even when the All Blacks soared back into the game in the second half.
"Despite conceding four tries as the All Blacks threatened another of their damned comebacks, there was superb discipline in defence."
The Irish Independent headlined its match report: 'Sensational Ireland create history with stunning victory over the All Blacks'.
"The men in green were well worth their win, eschewing their kicking game to ground and pound at the home of the Chicago Bears, while dominating an understrength New Zealand pack at set-piece time," wrote the Irish Independent's Ruaidhri O'Connor.
"Ireland were brilliant with Rob Kearney giving his critics something to chew on with a fantastic display as Conor Murray had the game of his life. The pack were dominant, the discipline was good and when the storm inevitably came they held their nerve.
"Ireland's players made their way around Soldier Field draped in tricolours as they lapped up the moment with their fans. History boys one and all."
O'Connor pointed to the difference in Irish resilience from 2013 when the All Blacks ran them down in Dublin, scoring in the last minute via Ryan Crotty.
"Three years ago, Ireland let their advantage slip and it looked like history might repeat itself as the world champions fought back from 30-8 down to make it a one-score game and outside of the fifteen men on the pitch doubt crept into Irish minds.
Instead, it was Ireland who finished strong and Robbie Henshaw sealed history with Ireland's fifth try with three minutes remaining to seal the victory.
"Over on US television, the commentator said: "If you want to bust a drop, you might want to make your way to Chicago".
"He was right. This kind of history only happens once."
The Irish Times also noted Hansen and the New Zealand team's graciousness in defeat.
"The All Blacks showed admirable humility," wrote Colin Cummiskey, who noted New Zealand were without their top three locks and that the injury toll was so bad during the game that flanker Artie Savea finished the game playing on the wing.
"Kieran Read was the leader of what was deemed the greatest All Black side until Chicago and is now the leader of the first All Black side to lose to Ireland. Hero to villain but neither."
