Third Test 'bittersweet' for player of the series Tadhg Beirne
The Munster captain set the tone for the series inside the opening seconds of that first Test in Brisbane when he won a jackal penalty, and he would go on to play every minute of the three games as the Lions claimed a 2-1 series win.
Even in this evening's third Test defeat he was arguably the standout player in red, starting as he did with a lineout steal in the opening 35 seconds.
"On a personal level it is a massive honour, but that aside it is more about the series win for me," Beirne said after Saturday's third Test defeat.
"The journey from day one, linking up with these boys and getting to enjoy their company for eight weeks.
"It is a bittersweet moment because it is a class moment that we have won the series, but we lost tonight which is a bit crap for us.
"But as Faz [Farrell] says, we will get over that because we have won the series. It is the last time we will be in that changing room as a group and that is a bitter part because we won't get that moment again.
"It has been such an incredible journey, we have loved every single moment of it. We have said we will be having a reunion here in 12 years time. We are going to start a kitty and make sure we are all back here in 12 years to celebrate this series win."
The flanker (above) recalled the pressure he felt over his selection after the first Test, admitting that Farrell had challenged both he and Tom Curry to make a statement with their performances after making the starting team.
And as he sat alongside his head coach at the post-match press conference in Sydney, he received some public advice from Farrell.
"It's kind of hard to ignore it, isn't it? You have people tagging you on social media," Beirne said, before his coach butted in: "Was you reading that?...Why are you getting tagged? Turn it off," Farrell said.
Beirne continued: "It is hard to ignore because it is there in front of your face the whole time. But you do use it as leverage as well.
"I was unsure whether Faz was going to pick me or not, so when I did see my name on the board, I knew it was an opportunity for me, but if I didn't play well, he'd take me out there just as quick as he put me in there.
"I needed to step up, as did all of the players, and in the first Test we did that."
A long season comes to an end now for Beirne, who finishes the campaign with a whopping 35 games for Munster, Ireland and now the Lions.
And as he reflects on his second Lions tour, one memory will stick with him.
"The people. Definitely. The staff, players. The whole environment. There is not one bad skin in the whole place.
"I just think everyone got on from day one and everyone has loved every minute of it. Ask anyone."
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