There were calls for a Dancing With The Stars restructure for 2018 and the removal of Garda Commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan as Kerry footballer Aidan O'Mahony beat former Fair City actress Aoibhín Garrihy and current Red Rock star Denise McCormack in tonight's DWTS final.
Truth be told, we were near convinced the show had ended three or so weeks ago - our interest clearly waning after the premature exit of RTÉ's Des Cahill - but no, the final was indeed tonight, and apparently a metric shite-ton of you watched it.
The majority of the female viewing public were left aghast as O'Mahony, who was apparently only the third-best dancer in the three-person final, won the coveted Kathryn Thomas Cup* ahead of McCormack and particularly Garrihy - both of whom were deemed far superior movers to the five six-time All-Ireland winner.
The view from Cork, meanwhile, was one of equal displeasure, as the Rebel county-based garda once more proved himself light on his feet a full nine years on from the 2008 All-Ireland final.
Some put his victory down to yet another Garda scandal, with others pointing toward the influence of the Healy-Raes back in Kerry. There was even the occasional call for a blanket ban on GAA from reality television in Ireland. Not since the ship from RTÉ's Cabin Fever ran aground have we seen such controversy surrounding one of 'these' shows, and it's worth recalling that the intervening years saw Mondo from Fair City win Celebrity Farm.
There'll be riots on the streets of Carrigstown tonight.
OMG ... 😳
— Mairead Ronan (@maireadronan) March 26, 2017
Proof that Women just can't win votes ... even in dancing 🙈
— Mairead Ronan (@maireadronan) March 26, 2017
Nóirín O'Sullivan should stand down, with immediate effect, after this latest Garda scandal.#DWTSIrl
— John Collins (@HangBlaa) March 26, 2017
More Garda corruption #DWTSIrl
— Graham Union (@grahamunion) March 26, 2017
What a absolute farce #DWTSIrl
— Tommy Donohoe ☘️🇮🇪 (@D40Tomo) March 26, 2017
Typical Irish result. Well done Kerry, I mean Aidan #DWTSIrl
— BJR (@bobroc22) March 26, 2017
We just can't have nice things. #DWTSIrl
— Róisín Ingle (@roisiningle) March 26, 2017
Fantastic series and brilliant final but judges vote should count in final, Aoibheann and Denise were robbed #DWTSIrl
— Gillian Quinn (@GillQuinn212) March 26, 2017
Feel cheated.After the emotional highs & fab performances from the 2 women in this fantastic finale, what a flat empty feeling 🙁 #DWTSIrl
— Jackie Carroll (@MissJCarroll1) March 26, 2017
Should the commissioner retire??? #DWTSIrl
— mermaidmc (@3hensMairead) March 26, 2017
#DWTSIrl ban the gaa from shows like this in future
— acidnation (@trounormands) March 26, 2017
Completely negates the quality of the whole production. Why a public vote for the final? Tripe!!! #DWTSIrl
— Eleanor Burke 🇺🇦 (@elbur1) March 26, 2017
I'm gonna miss shouting, 'Fuck OFF!' in disbelief at the telly on Sunday nights... Farewell til next year, Dancing With The Stars #DWTSIrl
— Mary Conroy (@QuietContrary) March 26, 2017
I won't be watching #DWTSIrl next year. Travesty
— mermaidmc (@3hensMairead) March 26, 2017
Delighted for Aidan O'Mahony - now has 2017 Dancing Prize to go with his 2008 Acting Oscar #dwtsirl
— Barry O'Sullivan (@siliconbarry) March 26, 2017
*The Dancing With The Stars trophy/vase is not actually called the 'Kathryn Thomas Cup', although it perhaps should be.
