This World Cup hangover won’t linger like the last one

Anyone who has ever over-indulged on a night out knows that the extent of the hangover isn’t always directly related to the number of drinks downed before the head hits the pillow.

There is a strong argument that Ireland’s loss to New Zealand in the World Cup last month amounted to the most disappointing of all the nation’s quarter-final exits, but we can say here with a high degree of certainty that the sour taste will be rinsed away much quicker than was the case four years ago.