Slattery has high hopes as Europeans return to Millstreet
“I think, when you weigh it up, competing at home is to our advantage. All the children would have jumped at Millstreet before, which will definitely count for something,” he said. “They’re a young squad, relatively inexperienced. In saying that, they are good kids and have the potential to do very well. I would be hopeful, but Britain, Germany, the Dutch and the French will also be very strong.”
The squad, aged 14 and 15, includes Nicholas Connors (Mighty Patch) from Waterford, Kildare’s Grace McHugh (Cassandra Van Het Roelhof) and Sean Monaghan (Attyrory Rebel), and Mikey Pender (Doon Laddie), but most eyes will be on Kilkenny’s European champion Susan Fitzpatrick, with Rock Dee Jay, the gelding that twice previously earned team silver for Ireland with Max O’Reilly-Hyland in the saddle.
