Ireland’s showjumpers appear to have missed-out on a place at the Olympics in controversial circumstances.
Robert Splaine’s squad missed-out on a place at Rio2016 by 0.380 of a fault at the European Championships after a moment of high-drama in Aachen.
Team captain Cian O’Connor appeared to be on-course for a clear round until a member of the ground staff ran across his line in the run-up to his only knocked fence.
Denis Lynch jumped a clear round but Spain finished just ahead of Ireland in 6th place to claim the last available Olympic spot.
The Irish team has already lost their first objection against the result of O’Connor’s round – but they’ve now lodged a further appeal.
O’Connor could be seen pointing as he exited the arena, and the Irish team were understandably furious as had the fence not gone down, Ireland would have secured qualification.
Afterwards, Denis Lynch said that the team were disappointed with their performance…
“It’s the third time ina row we haven’t qualified for the Olympics – it’s devastating.
“I don’t know what’s going on there [with the appeal], I’m just concentrating on my own stuff and we just weren’t good enough here.”
After appeal results stand for @Cian_O_Connor a further appeal to take place . Not end of the story @RTEsport @TheIrishFieldHW
— Brendan McArdle (@McArdleBrendan) August 21, 2015
Unpack the suitcases! @TeamIRLEq not going to #Rio2016 unless 4 faults caused by guy standing in the path of @Cian_O_Connor are scratched
— Orlaith Carmody (@OrlaithCarmody) August 21, 2015
"Can't we be the 7th horse?" @Woolberto solves the Show Jumping crisis. #offtheball
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) August 21, 2015
World title holders Holland were crowned European champions in Aachen’s 44,000-capacity main stadium, while Germany took silver. Britain finished just 0.760 penalties adrift of Switzerland in third.
The top 25 riders who progressed to Sunday’s European individual final included three Irish riders in Bertram Allen, O’Connor and Lynch.