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Irish stars bask in Chicago glory; Woodward sinks boot in

Devin Toner (L), Robbie Henshaw (C) and Donnacha Ryan celebrate at fulltime. By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images

Ireland's leading golfers and One Direction's Niall Horan are just some of the people basking in the glory of Emerald Isle's shocking victory over the All Blacks in Chicago.

A 111-year drought came to an end Saturday in the Windy City, as Ireland stunned New Zealand 40-29 in front of packed house at Soldier Field -- just a few days after the Chicago Cubs clinched the World Series for the first time in 108 years.

Social media was abuzz following the thrilling contest, with Irish eyes smiling across the globe. Horan joined Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry and Paul McGinley in praising the efforts of Joe Schmidt's side, with former world No.1 McIlroy, in particular, delirious in his excitement.

Sampling the action at Soldier Field firsthand were two of Ireland's all-time greats, Brian O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell. On the receiving end of so much heartache against the All Blacks throughout their careers, the former captains now have a memory to last a lifetime.

😏

A photo posted by Brian O'Driscoll (@13rianodriscoll) on

Gonna take it handy tonight.

A photo posted by @paul_o_connell5 on

There was a bit of rivalry in Paris, where All Blacks great Dan Carter was forced to endure some gentle ribbing from former Ireland fly-half Ronan O'Gara. Carter took to Instagram to congratulate Ireland, with O'Gara enjoying the moment at the expense of his Racing 92 charge.

Congratulations Ireland. A long time coming but deserved the win tonight. Someone's happy & it's not me

A photo posted by Dan Carter (@dancarter_) on

Elsewhere, former World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward was quick to lay the boot into the All Blacks for "getting carried away with their own publicity."