Cian O'Connor clinched the Nations Cup for Ireland at Poznan, Poland this afternoon in a thrilling jump-off against the clock.
Ireland and Denmark had tied on eight faults apiece at the end of two gruelling rounds, featuring a total of 14 teams, and Team Manager Robert Splaine selected the 27 year-old Meath-based rider to jump off for Ireland against Denmark's Tina Lund.
O'Connor, riding his new 10 year-old chestnut gelding Complete,
lowered just one pole in the ultimate round, while Denmark's Lund accumulated five faults against O'Connor's four, giving Ireland the Nations' Cup prize by one point.
O'Connor and team-mates Ryan Crumley, Gerry Flynn and Shane Carey were equal first with Denmark at the half-way stage in Poznan, each team with a fault-free total.
But both Flynn and Crumley incurred four faults in the second round, which left O'Connor with the only double clear on the team, and the obvious choice to take part in the jump-off.
Today's win increases Ireland's lead in the Nations Cup League to 40 points, with Italy now on 29.5 points and Denmark on 29.
Ireland and Denmark had tied on eight faults apiece at the end of two gruelling rounds, featuring a total of 14 teams, and Team Manager Robert Splaine selected the 27 year-old Meath-based rider to jump off for Ireland against Denmark's Tina Lund.
O'Connor, riding his new 10 year-old chestnut gelding Complete,
lowered just one pole in the ultimate round, while Denmark's Lund accumulated five faults against O'Connor's four, giving Ireland the Nations' Cup prize by one point.
