When did it suddenly become winter?
When Ireland set off to Celtic Manor on their Rugby World Cup adventure, there was still some heat in that sun, Joseph Duffy was headlining UFC Dublin and we couldn't even dream of beating Germany in a Euro 2016 Qualifier. Never going to happen.
Now, with New Zealand and Australia facing off in the final, in leafy Twickenham, we can only reflect on a tournament that had just about everything... except some Irish history-making.
Here are some of our most memorable #RWC2015 moments.
THE NIGHT BEFORE
Best of luck, everyone.
https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/644611702013751296
POOL STAGE
Bad start for ITV
https://twitter.com/catbateson/status/644949808621441024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
ITV commentator Nick Mullins was referring to remarks made by the Fijian coach, before they faced England, but, having offered no context, took the brunt of social media heat for a while.
Once it was all sorted, Fijian winger Nemani Naholo offered to share a pint with Mullins.
https://twitter.com/nemani_nadolo/status/647164529047175172
Japan stun South Africa and thrill the world
The Brave Blossoms weren't settling for no draw as they spurned a kick at the posts to go for victory over the mighty Springboks. It was frantic as hell but they pulled it off in dramatic, added time style.
https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/645293361016999936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Paul O'Connell not impressed with his English decor
Ireland settled into the English FA headquarters but the bedroom decorations left a lot for Paulie to desire. He tweeted out the link to this Instagram snap:
https://instagram.com/p/73j77Flfwj/
The Alton Towers trip more than made up for it.
https://twitter.com/ProperChurch/status/647126563549540352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
JP Doyle shows that respect is a two-way street
The Irish referee spoke French and pidgin Georgian to get his point across to some of the Georgia players in their Pool C match with Namibia.
https://twitter.com/stasbutler/status/647447746727821313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/gallagherbren/status/647447193398456320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Another reason why pitch invading a rugby game is a bad, bad idea
https://twitter.com/menzikulati/status/647927797848125440
Warren Gatland popping up to celebrate Wales' win in front of the English team bus
England tried to follow Japan's lead by going for an attacking lineout maul rather than taking a draw. It blew up in their face as Wales counter-mauled and flung them out of play.
Never one to gloat, is Gats...
https://twitter.com/KennyLogan/status/647898634718191617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The only Romanian player to have fond memories of losing 44-10 to Ireland?
Florin Surugiu proposed to his girlfriend in front of a rapidly emptying Wembley Stadium. She said yes. He was chuffed.
https://twitter.com/GaryTraynor1/status/648197451598405633?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
French players continued to not give a toss about England's travails
https://twitter.com/gavinmortimer7/status/648383743758102528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Uruguayan prop Oscar Duran made is all feel a little better about our lives, and girth
Pic via @RugbyBanterPag3
A battered Wales beat Fiji but lost more players to injury
https://twitter.com/mcgeebers/status/649634315349946368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Jamie Cudmore's espionage
The veteran Canada lock has picked up the lingo in France thanks to his days at Clermont.
Some of Les Bleus did not appreciated his eavesdropping joke.
https://twitter.com/BeanBagSports/status/649684385806057472
Mamuka Gorgodze learning he won man-of-the-match against New Zealand
https://twitter.com/rugbyworldcup/status/650056789413621760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
England trolled HARD after their World Cup exit
The tournament hosts were humbled by the Wallabies, forcing apologies from their coach and captain and comedic gold such as this:
https://twitter.com/ihearthestia/status/650414638002274304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Diego Maradona showed up to party with Argentina after they defeated Georgia
He promised he would be back for the semi-finals but the Pumas would, most likely, have to get past Ireland first...
https://twitter.com/rugbyworldcup/status/650734774324035584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
'
Big time' Johnny Sexton was compared by Zlatan
Yep, that actually happened.
https://twitter.com/MirrorRowZed/status/653181495994097664
Shane Long's winner against Germany drew high praise from Joe Schmidt
The day after Martin O'Neill's side beat the world champions, Schmidt was asked if he had tuned in.
"It was a super effort," he replied. "Shane Long's touch and finish was exceptional. You have to take your hat off to that skill."
https://twitter.com/DustinOfficial/status/652252943232712704
Secret to New Zealand's success revealed
https://twitter.com/USASevensRugby/status/652573580425826304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Fr BOD bowled over by Australia's gutsy win over Wales
The Wallabies were down to 13 men at one stage but still defended their line in last-ditch, bruising fashion. Their performance got nearly as many tweets as Brian O'Driscoll's ITV punditry get-up.
https://twitter.com/TheMurphstar/status/652913142033354752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Ireland beat France but the physical toll was massive
https://twitter.com/fod95/status/653265025591832577
Sean O'Brien didn't help matters
His punch on Pascal Papé had the entire Irish nation reading up on citings and throwing around whatever conspiracy theory that would help.
https://twitter.com/BetVernons/status/653609372313120768
Rory McIlroy's brilliant response to this troll cheered us up
There was no miraculous comeback for Ireland's captain
"A significant hamstring injury" ended O'Connell's World Cup, and Irish rugby career.
https://twitter.com/IrishRugby/status/653859696441487360
https://twitter.com/BrianODriscoll/status/653871348213776384
ROG summed it up best of all:
https://twitter.com/RonanOGara10/status/653894902560989184
Adam Ashley Cooper's touching gesture to a dying friend
The Australian winger
rushed up to celebrate his side topping Pool A with his old teammate Guy Grinham, who passed away from cancer 48 hours later.
https://twitter.com/LorenaLofish/status/659637606695718912
QUARTER FINALS
English prop reminded us why we didn't miss his team one bit
https://twitter.com/JoeMarler/status/655309057486671872
No time for tweeting Joe, we've got a quarter final to think of.
Duane Vermeulen saves his best 'til last
https://twitter.com/patmccarry/status/655428410890522624
Good-looking Martians and pints over on TV3
Shane Byrne wasn't sure if the red light meant the cameras were ON or OFF
https://twitter.com/stephencramp/status/655432645208358912
Julian Savea reminds us why he is called 'The Bus'
https://twitter.com/5liveSport/status/655474952087412742
Hopes are high as Irish fans invade Cardiff
Fields of Athenry during New Zealand's romp over France? Don't mind if we do.
https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/655485719390134272
Inspirational stuff. Bring on the Pumas!
Sexton out... wheels fall off
The Irish out-half pulled out 24 hours before the last eight clash. Ian Madigan steps in but cuts his hair for some unknown reason [possibly that it was getting long].
After 15 brutal minutes, Ireland were 17-0 down.
https://twitter.com/Jarlath/status/655721194726010880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
There was a stirring comeback but it proved a false dawn. Ireland were out.
https://twitter.com/BashingDastard/status/655743258526621696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Scotland were the Northern Hemisphere's only hope
For about two hours. That was until South African Craig Joubert gave a last-minute penalty against them.
It was a close call but, as soon as he blew the final whistle, Joubert was not stick around to debate its merits.
https://twitter.com/MonstruoJerry/status/656424692723617792
SEMI FINALS
Sonny Bill's sportsmanship
The All Blacks centre made a beeline for distraught Springbok Jesse Kriel in the immediate moments after a breathless semi-final encounter.
https://twitter.com/SonnyBWilliams/status/658016618463764484
Argentina out swinging, from inside their own 22
For their coach, Daniel Hourcade, it was all too much.
https://twitter.com/patmccarry/status/658342229807878145
Another four turnovers for David Pocock, who looked like he'd been attacked with a skillet
The Australian has 14 turnovers in the World Cup. No-one else is in double figures.
https://twitter.com/patmccarry/status/658654473770913792
THE FINAL
And, now, the final between two sides that have nothing but respect for each other...
https://twitter.com/RugbyBanterPag3/status/659568274066141186
