'I didn't think we'd be packing up', admits Sheehan

A shell-shocked Dan Sheehan admitted that it will take time for him to come to terms with Ireland's World Cup exit after they suffered a defeat to New Zealand that he didn’t see coming.

Ireland's World Cup dream came to an end as their quarter-final curse continued with a heartbreaking 28-24 defeat to the All Blacks in Paris.

Andy Farrell’s side trailed throughout at the Stade de France and were unable to mastermind a stunning comeback as the formidable All Blacks progressed to a semi-final showdown with Argentina.

Afterwards, a stunned Sheehan struggled to come to terms with the result after New Zealand held firm for 38 phases of play in the dying minutes of the game to send Ireland packing.

"I didn’t think we’d be packing up to go home," Sheehan said. "It didn’t cross my mind once that we’d be going home.

"I guess we had our opportunities to stay but that’s sport, good teams lose.

"I’m incredibly proud of how we’ve gone about our preparations and how we started the tournament and I’m incredibly proud of how the country got behind us."

Defeat for Ireland marked the end of an era with Johnny Sexton and Keith Earls both hanging up their boots in the aftermath of the game.

Sheehan paid tribute to Sexton, who he played alongside at Leinster as well as Ireland and hailed him as the best rugby player Ireland has ever produced.

"I grew up watching Johnny," he said. "I never thought I’d be in the same room as Johnny, never mind share a jersey or share a team with him.

"I guess that’s when it hit me, that it’s his last game. After all he’s done for me and the leader he’s been.

"He’s a once in a lifetime person and I’d say he’s the greatest player to ever wear an Irish jersey. He’s done us all proud.

"We’re immensely proud of the group.