The German Super League jumping team proved unstoppable in this year's Aga Khan Trophy competition at the Dublin Horse Show finishing on an enviable score of just nine faults.
Despite being unfancied, the Irish team were in the runner-up slot by half-time, only to be overtaken by the all-female US squad in a tightly-fought second half. They finished equal third with Switzerland on 17 penalties.
Captain Shane Carey and River Foyle notched up Ireland's only fault-free round first time out and had a pole down in the second round.
Cameron Hanley accounted for the discard score in each round with SIEC Concept, while Conor Swail and Rivaal rode two classy rounds but had four faults in each.
Gerry Flynn and Mo Chroi took just a single time fault first time round the formidable course - made more treacherous as rain started to fall in late afternoon - and was unlucky to have one fence down in the second round.
Afterwards, Irish Team Manager Robert Splaine said: 'There were a couple of mistakes in the first round that we could well have done without, but otherwise I was happy with the performance the lads gave here today.'
Earlier, Irish riders struggled to make an impact on the Irish File Six Bar competition, with only Billy Twomey getting though to the final round where he unfortunately suffered an elimination at the last fence with Tinka's Serenade to finish sixth overall.
But Cameron Hanley, Clem McMahon and Harry Marshall were among those who shared seventh place.
