"It's not too often that you see Peter O'Mahony like that!"
To be at Stade de France, or even in and around Paris, on Saturday night was to witness an Irish take-over to rival the very past from past years. Even for veterans like Johnny Sexton and Peter O'Mahony, this was a night to remember.
Ireland defeated South Africa 13-8 to give themselves a great chance of topping Pool B, in the World Cup. The prize is most likely a quarter final against three-time tournament winners New Zealand, but let us enjoy this moment for now. Andy Farrell also mentioned the Scotland game about eight times in his press conference, too, in case anyone had forgotten what is next.
Saturday and Sunday [and even a chunk of Monday] should be about reflecting on an epic victory over the reigning world champions, and the fans at Stade de France that brought one hell of an atmosphere to the party. The post-match scenes, involving Peter O'Mahony as orchestra conductor, were a joy to behold.
[caption id="attachment_293173" align="aligncenter" width="640"]Dan Sheehan and Mack Hansen of Ireland celebrate victory at full-time, at Stade de France. (Photo by Franco Arland/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)[/caption]
Peter O'Mahony really getting into it
Almost as soon as the full-time whistle shrilled, the Public Address system was wide to the anthem that Irish rugby fans have been beating down the doors with - Zombie, by The Cranberries.
TV cameras first of all caught the respectful scenes displayed by two spent sets of players as they exchanged kind words and embraced. Both sides knew everything had been left out there.
As RTE headed back to their studio for post-match analysis, they would occasionally cut back to images from Paris, and one of the had Peter O'Mahony really letting it all go. The Munster captain was leading the chorus for Zombie, arms waving about, and having the time of his life.
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Peter O'Mahony's pre-match speech
World Rugby - before they opted to delete their own clip - posted footage of a rousing pre-match speech from Peter O'Mahony. It went like this:
"As we're going on through it, ya, when you run past a fella, [inaudible], you give him a f***ing lift, you pat him on the f***ing hole.
"I'm with you all day, you know what I mean? We're with each other all day. We're f***ing working hard, but we need to f***ing look after one another as well boys.
"We in the f***ing depths with you. Picking fellas up. We're going well boys. Be flexible and be f***ing tight."
Bundee Aki carried out a post-match interview, after claiming man of the match, and that same Zombie serenade almost drowned out his words. He declared:
"I am lost for words, these Irish fans are incredible. Honestly, I have never witnessed anything like this, the travel crowd is completely a joke. It's only going to get bigger and crazier from here on in!"
Rory Fleming was fortunate enough to be in the ground, alongside his brother and surrounded be a swaying sea of Irish fans. At full-time, he sent us these great full-time scenes from Stade de France.
Ireland are giving their players a couple of down days, to rest up sore bodies, before reassembling for the final pool game [on October 7] against Scotland.
A win over the Scots would seal top spot in the pool and secure a quarter final against the second placed side in Pool A, back in Paris, on October 15.
Dan Sheehan and Mack Hansen of Ireland celebrate victory at full-time, at Stade de France. (Photo by Franco Arland/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)[/caption]
