Rob Kearney’s sums up mood of a barely believing nation after incredible scenes in Chicago

Many doubted whether Rob Kearney could ever reach the stellar heights that got him on two Lions tours and saw him perform like a hero against the Springboks and All Blacks.

Kearney doubted himself, he admits. 2015/16 was almost a write-off. He was in and out of the Sports Surgery Clinic, in Santry, as he was twanging his hamstring every second week. This season would be different, he swore. He got a whole pre-season under his belt and started 2016/17 like a house on fire. He then wrenched his knee and spent a few October weeks on the sidelines. He must have felt he would never get on the plane to Chicago, let alone make it into the starting line-up against New Zealand. Joe Schmidt had faith in Kearney, though, and Kearney delivered. He had one of the finest games of his life at Soldier Field as Ireland rollicked the world champion All Blacks. Kearney was a sensation. He was outrageous. He dominated in the air, made line breaks for fun and teed up CJ Stander's 16th minute try with a super run. US broadcasters caught up with Kearney after the 40-29 Irish win and his words will surely resonate with a nation waking up on Sunday asking if it was all just a dream. He said:

"It's not just about this team. It's about the 28 teams that have gone before us.  "We've been waiting a long time to defeat the All Blacks and it is such a difficult feat. We really gave everything today and we really deserved it. "After the Cubs during the week, there must have been something in the air in Chicago."

There certainly was. Can we play here every time? Who are the winners of the much-coveted 2016 Wooly Awards? Find out in our GAA Hour Special