Ireland hero Tadhg Beirne: 'Doc asked with five minutes left how I was trucking. I said I'm empty but I'll keep going'

CLASS APART: Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne and Johnny Sexton celebrate at the end of the game. 

On a night of extraordinary performances in an Irish jersey at Sky Stadium on Saturday, Tadhg Beirne’s rose to the top of the list, just when they needed him most.

It was the lock’s defensive masterclass that helped turn the tide back in Ireland’s favour as New Zealand threatened the mother of all turnarounds in the series-deciding third Test after a chaotic opening to the second half.