Duncan Casey: Settle. No need to panic after one poor Ireland performance

The reaction to the disappointing defeat to the All Blacks has been over the top.

BACK IN BLACK: Jack Crowley and the Ireland camp's focus turns to Argentina this week. Pic: INPHO/Bryan Keane

“Farrell out, Eddie O’Sullivan in” was my favourite social media exocet in the wake of Ireland’s Friday night defeat to New Zealand. Clearly harmless trolling but it didn’t stop a couple of people – with an unrefined grasp of internet sarcasm – from taking great umbrage and biting hard. While this was a low-hanging piece of comedic fruit, it wasn’t a million miles away from some of the wider discourse.

According to one publication, the loss heralded the end of a golden era for Irish rugby. Another stated it showed this was a team in decline. Let’s hold our horses a bit here. This was Ireland’s first home loss in 20 matches, in a year that has already seen them successfully defend their Six Nations title and beat the World Champions away from home in a summer test.