As the strains of Hymns and Arias drowned out the booing from Irish supporters at the final whistle, the sound of Welsh rejoicing reverberated around the Six Nations. Any year Wales win their first game of the Championship, two words are instantly unavoidable: Grand Slam. Another bandwagon has been launched in the Valleys after this stunning last-gasp triumph in Dublin, but the pain writ large all over the battered face of Paul O'Connell should act as at least a momentary handbrake on expectations.
With a minute to go in this thrilling encounter, the Ireland captain could have been the one fielding questions about his own side's prospects of repeating their 2009 clean sweep, instead of dissecting the finer points of a shattering loss. Rugby can be a cruel game. But before we consider what this Welsh victory might lead to, it is worth recalling the inauspicious circumstances Warren Gatland's men found themselves in both before and during the match.
Devoid of half of the pack that outplayed Ireland so comprehensively in their World Cup quarter-final, victory appeared a tall order against an established and experienced Irish eight. Factor in Ireland's propensity for starting the Championship well and the fact Wales had lost on four of their last five visits to Dublin, and the omens were not promising. Yet for an hour they more than matched the hosts and should probably have had a comfortable lead, given their greater ambition, fluidity and firepower.
With 15 minutes left, it would have taken a brave Welshman to back their side to win when Bradley Davies was sin-binned for an ugly tip tackle. Even more so when Tommy Bowe's try made it 21-15, with Wales still a man down. That they then gave themselves a chance to win with George North's try already said much about their character. Back to a full complement, the Welsh showed admirable patience to work their way from their own 22, before Stephen Ferris's high tackle presented Leigh Halfpenny with the opportunity to win the game.
If one sympathised with Ferris as he trudged miserably off after his yellow card, there was still a sense that the more deserving team won, even if the manner in which they ultimately triumphed was fortunate. Bradley Davies' senseless tackle means he is unlikely to be available for at least Wales' next two games, an unnecessary blow. But Gatland didn't seem too perturbed, citing possible alternatives and hinting Alun Wyn Jones may be ready to return before the end of the campaign.
