Rory Best had to fight to hold back the tears after his rugby career ended on a low with a record 46-14 World Cup quarter-final defeat against New Zealand in Tokyo.
The hugely respected and popular hooker was initially lost for words during an on-field post-match interview following Ireland's humiliation.
"I don't know what to say," mumbled the Irish captain and Ulster great.
He welled up and had to pause for thought before saying: "I would just like to thank this unbelievable crowd.
"The Irish (supporters) as always, started it off with an incredible atmosphere, they were brilliant.
"But look, the All Blacks were fantastic. We felt we prepared well all week, we felt we'd a game plan, we felt we'd enough in our armoury to beat them but they just started off, came out of the blocks hard at us, put us on the back foot and like good sides do, they never let us off.
"They were just really, really clinical. They didn't let us get on the front foot. This is a front-foot momentum game, especially in knock-out rugby."
Asked to sum up a marvellous career which won him 123 Ireland caps and a Six Nations Grand Slam as captain, 218 appearances for Ulster and a place in the Lions squad for the 2013 conquest of Australia and the 2017 drawn series with New Zealand, Best replied: "I've loved every minute of it.
"The support that I've got from home, from the fans when we're at home, when we're away, my teammates, the coaching staff and probably in particular (Ireland coach) Joe Schmidt, who's moving on.
"He brought Irish rugby and my game in particular to a different level when he came here. A lot of credit goes to him ... just a massive thanks to him."
After completing his TV duties, Best made his way to his family, where he welcomed his three children onto the pitch and embraced them, before leading them around it as he waved his farewells to Irish fans.
Schmidt, who steps down from his position following the World Cup to head home to New Zealand, said: "I’d just like to thank my players, and I’d like to thank these supporters.
"They have followed us all over the place. Rory has led the team incredibly well, and Paul O’Connell before him. It’s been a privilege for me."
New Zealand boss Steve Hansen, the former Wales coach, paid generous tribute to Best and Schmidt.
"Both of them have been instrumental in changing Ireland into a team that earlier in the year were No.1 in the world, so big congratulations to them," he said.
"I know they’re both finishing up and it’s probably not the way they wanted to do it but, unfortunately, sport’s not fair.
"But I’d like to say well done to them, they’ve done a marvellous job for Ireland."
