If Ireland had not suffered that devastating loss to Argentina, then perhaps people would have been in a more forgiving mood on Sunday.
Post-defeat, people were looking for a reason to vent some frustration.
Earlier in the day - 50 minutes before kick-off of today's quarter-final - the Fine Gael Twitter account had provided the perfect fodder.
The party tweeted a graphic illustrating that of the countries participating in the tournament, Ireland is the one with the greatest economic growth right now.
FACT: If the Rugby World Cup was based on economic growth, Ireland would win hands down #IREvARG #ShoulderToShoulder pic.twitter.com/3j9YabKWrY
— Fine Gael (@FineGael) October 18, 2015
To say it didn't go down well would be an understatement.
. @FineGael STUPID FRANCE, WITH THEIR STUPID REGULATED ECONOMY THAT NEITHER GROWS TOO FAST NOR COLLAPSES IN A NEO-LIBERAL HEAP #stupidfrance
— Patrick Cullivan (@paddycullivan) October 18, 2015
@FineGael and if it came down to burning bond holders and telling IMF where to go Argentina would win hands down.
— DANCE TO TIPPERARY (@dancetotipp) October 18, 2015
@FineGael if it was based on shite governments we'd win too
— Shane Stokes (@SSbike) October 18, 2015
@FineGael Strong contender for the worst tweet in history.
— Count Dougula (@Dougwhelan) October 18, 2015
@FineGael you guys really are beyond clueless. Try doing something to help business / entrepreneurs who STAYED when the shit hit the fan.
— Mark Breen (@mark_breen) October 18, 2015
. @FineGael Please tell me you've been hacked!!! There really couldn't be any other plausible reason for this tweet. #IREvARG
— Stephanie O'Boyle (@StephanieOBoyle) October 18, 2015
@FineGael Is this a parody account?
— Mad, Ted (@BocktheRobber) October 18, 2015
Even if Ireland had won today, this ill-advised tweet would still have come in for criticism. Whoever thought this was going to be anything other than severely panned is completely out of touch with the feelings of the nation.
Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
