Amidst the elation in the aftermath of Ireland’s historic 40-29 victory over New Zealand on Saturday, full back Rob Kearney permitted himself a sigh of relief. In Chicago, a city that saw its beloved Cubs end a 108-year wait for a World Series title earlier in the week, Ireland went one better by finally beating the mighty All Blacks after 111 years of trying.It was a fate they were cruelly denied in 2013 when they conceded an injury-time try to Ryan Crotty in Dublin and Aaron Cruden slotted a conversion from the sideline to deny Ireland even a draw. That can now been forgotten. Kearney and his team-mates have laid that particular ghost to rest but as he celebrated on the pitch afterwards at Soldier Field, his joy at Irelands collective achievement was tinged with a sense of personal vindication. Ireland players celebrate at the final whistle against New Zealand After an injury-riddled 18 months, there was a growing clamour in the lead-up to the game for Kearney - for so long an automatic selection at No 15 for Ireland - to be dropped.Kearney responded with one of his finest ever displays in an Irish jersey but he admits his growing number of critics were on his mind prior to kick-off.Its been a tough enough 18 months, Kearney admitted. Just, first and foremost, the body has not been where it was been [in the past].Then on the back of that, youre not playing to your potential and people get on your case, then you get on your own case.Inside my head has been a dark enough place in the last few months.I wasnt sure if I was going to be selected this week, and Im just glad I was able to repay Joe [Schmidt, Ireland coach] and my fellow players the trust that has been shown. Garry Ringrose making a trademark step and break for Leinster Kearneys Leinster team-mate Garry Ringrose is perhaps the hottest prospect in Irish rugby since Brian ODriscoll burst onto the scene back in 1999.Many observers were advocating for his inclusion in the Irish team at outside centre, with Ulster star Jared Payne shifting to what many consider his more natural position of full back at Kearneys expense.Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt resisted the calls but he left Kearney in no doubt about what the stakes were for him before the game.When asked the faith Schmidt showed in him, Kearney said: He did, a huge amount of faith.I was glad to be able to repay it a little bit. Im sure hell have lots of things for me throughout the week - a few missed tackles and some coverage in the backfield, I might have got caught out once or twice.He pulled me aside before the game and he said, You need a big one today. It wasnt ideal, but it was good. New Zealand coach Steve Hansen shakes hands with Ireland boss Joe Schmidt Schmidt has coached Kearney since taking over at Leinster in 2010 and although not every player would respond to such pressure favourably, the Louth man accepts it is probably what he needed to hear.Weve been together a long time now from when he first came to Leinster, Kearney said. Maybe that was the one-liner that I need to put the fear of God into me.Ive been waiting for a spark, something like that, for so long and this week I just said, Dont wait, just go try and make something happen with the shackles free.Ive been in those moments before and things havent gone [my] way. So I wont get carried away by any means, but its nice to be back on the horse a little bit, for how long I dont know.New Zealand trailed Ireland 25-8 at half-time in Chicago but there was a sense of déjà vu in the second half as the worlds No 1 team had cut the deficit to just four points by the 64th minute. The All Blacks celebrate Ryan Crottys last-gasp try in 2013 In November 2013 Ireland had led by 19-0 at one stage before ultimately paying the price for failing to trouble the scoreboard operators in the second half.Kearney and his team-mates learned a painful lesson that day about not sitting back against the All Blacks and put it into practice by going on the attack - an approach which paid dividends when Simon Zebo chipped the ball behind the All Blacks defence and forced Julian Savea to concede a five-metre scrum which led to Robbie Henshaws decisive try.It was unbelievable, Kearney said. When they got their few tries and they had their purple patch, we came back under the sticks and... we were right back in the Aviva in 2013 when we were under our sticks after losing the game. Irelands Simon Zebo celebrates with Johnny Sexton You learn from those experiences and I think we played and went to the edge once, and Zeebs [Simon Zebo] kicked that ball down the line. That was a huge play, whereas maybe back in 2013 we would have just kicked off first phase and let them come back at us.Its little intricacies likes that that you cant see them from the spectator watching, but to us it was a big moment in how far weve come maybe.The fact that Ireland managed to upset New Zealand without key performers such as Sean OBrien, Peter OMahony, Iain Henderson and Keith Earls makes the achievement all the more remarkable but Kearney says it is a credit to the systems Schmidt has implemented and the mentality he has fostered amongst his players.Weve always seen that with this team, he said. Weve got defence and attack systems and if youve got a number from 25 to 30 guys who can fit in and do the things that are expected of you, its less about the individual and more about the collective.If you work hard and do the things that youve been working on. The preparation time that weve had has been minimal but I havent felt as prepared for a game in a long, long time.Everyone just fronted up and did what was expected. All Blacks captain Kieran Reid exits the pitch after his sides loss to Ireland The All Blacks will have an opportunity to exact their revenge on Ireland when they meet in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, November 19, in a game which will be shown live on Sky Sports 2 HD.Kearney knows Ireland will have to raise their performance even further if they are to upset the reigning world champions for a second time in two weeks.Theyll be back, theyll be wounded, Kearney said. Theyre a class side. Their lineout was not functioning really today and they had a fair few handling errors. Were under no illusions whats coming back. 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Manager Alex Ferguson says the injury was sustained while the player tried to hit a volley toward the end of training on Tuesday. SAN DIEGO -- Brandon Belt hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning to give the San Francisco Giants a 5-3 win over the San Diego Padres on Saturday night. Belt, in his second game back from the disabled list, homered off Dale Thayer (3-3) after Hunter Pence led off with a double. Belt, who missed 50 games with a broken thumb, hit his 10th homer of the season into the right-field stands. Michael Morse homered leading off the ninth inning against Padres closer Huston Street to tie it 3-3. That broke a streak of 23 consecutive saves for Street, the longest run in the majors. Sergio Romo (4-3), recently demoted from the closer role, earned the win. Santiago Casilla got the final three outs for his second save in five chances. San Francisco won for just the sixth time in 24 games and snapped San Diegos season-high, five-game winning streak. The Giants, who had been shut out in three of their previous five games, scored more than two runs for the third time in 11 games. After Joe Paniks sacrifice fly put San Francisco ahead 2-1 in the seventh, the Padres scored two runs in the bottom of the inning. Yasmani Grandal doubled with one out off Jean Machi and scored the tying run on Jake Goebberts triple into the right-centre field gap. Cameron Maybin followed with a sacrifice fly that easily scored Goebbert. San Franciscos Tim Hudson made his second strong start to break aa three-start losing streak.dddddddddddd Hudson gave up one run on three hits over six innings and avoided matching his career high for losses in consecutive starts. He struck out four and didnt walk a batter. The Padres tied it in the sixth on Seth Smiths sacrifice fly with one out after consecutive singles by Brooks Conrad and Alexi Amarista to open the inning. Gregor Blanco hit his first homer of the season to give the Giants a 1-0 lead in the second. Cuban defector Odrisamer Despaigne made his third career start for San Diego since being called up from the minors last month. The 27-year-old right-hander, who beat the Giants in his major league debut on June 23, wasnt as sharp this time. He overcame four walks and allowed one run and two hits over six innings, his shortest outing. In three starts since coming up from the minors, Despaigne has an ERA of 1.41. San Francisco third baseman Pablo Sandoval left the game in the first inning with a bruised left elbow after he swung and missed a pitch that hit him. NOTES: Street had converted 48 of 49 save chances dating to May 2013. ... San Diego was the only team that hadnt blown a lead after seven innings this season, going 29-0. ... Pence extended his hitting streak to 10 games with an infield single to open the game. ... Giants RHP Tim Lincecum (7-5, 4.06 ERA) will face Padres RHP Jesse Hahn (4-1, 1.95) in Sundays series finale. ' ' '