Bernard Jackman: ‘We still believe there is a medal there, maybe two if we're lucky'

Shane Sweetnam and Daniel Coyle go in the Olympic showjumping final on Tuesday.

Ireland's Shane Sweetnam, on James Kann Cruz, in action during the showjumping qualifier at the Château de Versailles during the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

A lifetime playing and coaching in professional sport means Bernard Jackman has had to deal with just about every kind of crushing defeat. The hurt never lessens. He lets out a deep sigh in Paris and reflects on the one that got away.

In November, the former Ireland rugby international was appointed acting Head of High-Performance Sport at Horse Sport Ireland. Last Friday, he watched the team compete in the showjumping team final at the Château de Versailles equestrian venue. The three-man group were well in contention after two rounds only for Cian O’Connor and his horse Maurice to incur nine penalties. That relegated them to a seventh-place finish.