Leo Varadkar drew a mixed reaction for saying that an Irishman leading England to the Cricket World Cup was a proud day for us all.
Dubliner Eoin Morgan, 32, led England to World Cup glory in Cricket on Sunday.
Leo posted on Twitter: “It’s a wonderful feeling to see an Irishman and Dubliner Eoin Morgan lifting the Cricket World Cup.
“A proud day for all of us. Congratulations Eoin Morgan and England.
“Our debut test encounter awaits.”
One Twitter user posted: "It's a proud day for England, Not a proud day for all of us. We are Ireland."
Others were happy to congratulate the Dubliner on a big sporting achievement.
The 32-year-old played a key role in getting Ireland to the 2007 Cricket World Cup but always made it clear that he would play for England.
He last played for Ireland in 2009.
There were joyous celebrations at Rush cricket club in Dublin, Morgan's home club.
With millions tuning in on TV, – England's captain seized on the significance of the heart-stopping drama.
Morgan said: “To me and the team, and everyone involved in the last four years, this means absolutely everything.
"I certainly hope participation levels will go up and the nature of the game was outstanding. And I hope it helps (to reconnect the public with cricket) because on a Sunday evening people are usually settling in to watch a bit of David Attenborough or a good film. I hope they were tuning into the cricket.
“People believed because we believed, and I'm thankful for that. But sport is sometimes about the finest of margins, and the finest of margins went our way.”
The Dubliner has been hailed in England as a great leader.
But he insisted: “I'm not sure this has changed my life and I hope it doesn't change that much. I enjoy my life and I live quite a quiet one, but I would love it to change for everyone else who wants their life to change.”
Morgan revealed he has kept his pep-talk light-hearted before the super over to release the tension among his players, saying: “I encouraged them to laugh, smile, and enjoy it because it was such a ridiculous situation and there was such a lot of pressure.”
After the fireworks, streamers and lap of honour, New Zealand were left to curse their luck and the cruelest margin to decide a World Cup final in any major sport.
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