O’Connor crashes out as Irish last in Sweden

THE Irish show jumping team finished last in the Nations Cup at Falsterbo, Sweden, yesterday, graphically realising manager Robert Splaine’s prediction that it would be a tough assignment.

The Corkman’s charges were bidding for their fifth win of the season to stretch their lead at the top of the FEI Nations Cup Series and strengthen their promotion bid.

However, elimination for Cian O’Connor and Complete at the treble in round one severely dented Irish hopes and, with Ryan Crumley on Baltimore adding 16 faults, the team finished the half-way stage last of the seven nations and failed to progress to the six-nation second round.