Keane claims league title

THOLM KEANE claimed the Guidam League title yesterday, even though he failed to make the line-up in the final leg at Mullingar, Co Westmeath.

The Waterford rider went out of contention in round one, but had already amassed enough points to claim the winner’s purse of €2,000.

Neal Fearon had over a second to spare in steering Michael Quirke’s Teluda to victory yesterday.

At the two-star show in Vilamoura, Portugal, Marion Hughes rode HHS Cheiro to victory in the 1.45m grand prix.

In Fontainebleau, France, Shane Connell rounded off a great weekend for Ireland’s pony riders by taking the grand prix yesterday with Murphy’s Flight.

The Longford rider notched up a single time fault in round one to set up a head-to-head with Denmark’s Alexandra Sisseck. Connell followed with a clear, as his rival four faulted.

The 15-year-old had produced Ireland’s only double clear in Saturday’s nations cup to help his team to second place.

Ireland were bidding for a hat-trick, having won in 2005 and 2006. However, eight faults was not good enough to deny Germany, who spoiled the Irish party with a team score of four.