From heroes to zero in 80 minutes. In the minds of some fans at least.
Ireland’s Rugby World Cup is over yet again at the quarter final stage after a 43-20 hammering by Argentina this afternoon in Cardiff.
Ireland trailed by 17-0 early in the first half and despite a second half comeback that had us back to 23-20 we could never get level, and late scores from the Pumas saw them pull away and book a semi-final spot next weekend.
Ireland were missing a huge amount of players through injury, while Sean O’Brien’s suspension really came back to haunt us at the breakdown.
The players on the pitch gave all they had but Twitter was not a kind place after the game for Joe Schmidt or his charges.
Sports journalists were among the first to set their targets on the Irish team
17 down, allowed back into it, and then a litany of mistakes. That is shocking TBF.
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) October 18, 2015
They shat themselves twice.
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) October 18, 2015
This isn't just a beating, it's an utter massacre. Had we this talent and fell apart in another sport the players would be hammered.
— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) October 18, 2015
The excuses starting though. All week we were potential winners, now Argentina are a better team. We have it every way to avoid criticism.
— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) October 18, 2015
I just wonder is there anything that Ireland could have done today to avoid this 'proud' nonsense. Had their holes handed to them. #RWC2015
— Pat Nolan (@pat_nolan) October 18, 2015
Then ordinary Irish fans had their say
https://twitter.com/gaachris/status/655745819287683072
https://twitter.com/seankeane93/status/655745139122556928
https://twitter.com/PKeane1983/status/655744340589965313
And some Englishmen took great pleasure in the loss too
Right – ' An Englishman, a Welshman and an Irishman walk into a bar and……'
— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) October 18, 2015
While at least one fan may have figured a Mayo connection to the loss
That Mayo bus that didn't stop for the funeral must've double-parked in front of an Argentinian restaurant after #Cursed #IREvsARG
— Ciarán Lenehan (@CiaranLen) October 18, 2015
Although for most Irish fans the result was a fair one
Please don't anyone use tiredness as an excuse..They didn't look tired when coming back to within 3. The timid start killed them. #IREvARG
— Anthony Moyles (@moylesiea) October 18, 2015
https://twitter.com/Gordonwdarcy/status/655747767722254336
@MolloyJoe 'purple patch' for Ireland took phenomenal energy, last 20 was always going to be a struggle @offtheball
— Diarmuid Lyng (@diarmuidlyng) October 18, 2015
Gutted for Ireland but well played Argentina! Keep the heads up @IrishRugby , you did the country PROUD!! #ShoulderToShoulder #IRLvARG
— Kodaline (@Kodaline) October 18, 2015
