Ireland get off to solid start at Europeans

Joseph Murphy was “really happy” after helping Ireland to a solid start that left them fifth of 11 teams in the European Eventing Championships at Blair Castle, Scotland, yesterday.

The Mullingar native was second into the dressage arena on Sportsfield Othello and scored 50 penalties that put him in 20th place at close of play. Tipperary’s Padraig McCarthy and the bay gelding Simon Porloe followed with a performance that earned them 46.60pens to sit in 15th place, but it was individual rider Sam Watson that set the pace for Ireland, scoring 44.10pens to lie 12th with Horseware Lukeswell.