The Rose of Tralee was yesterday caught up in a controversy, complete with conspiracy theories that threatened to ruin the contest’s innocent allure.

The Irish relatives of the newly crowned Rose of Tralee popped champagne corks yesterday to celebrate her victory and invited her to visit her ancestral island home again.

It’s the morning after the night before and while the words “tired” and “emotional” are crashing around tender Tralee heads, US southern belle Haley O’Sullivan has more important issues on her mind.