Comeback win for Ireland at Nations Cup Portugal

The Irish show jumping team scored a fantastic victory in Friday night's three-star Longines EEF Nations Cup in Lisbon, Portugal, overtaking halfway leaders France with a flawless second-round performance.

Chef d'Equipe Taylor Vard’s team of Richard Howley, Jessica Burke, Kevin Gallagher and Jenny Rankin, lifted the winners trophy on a two-round total of just four faults.

Ireland were in second place at the halfway stage thanks to clear rounds from Howley with Consulent De Prelet Z and from Burke with Namamia.Gallagher with Ballypatrick Flamenco (ISH) and Rankin with Carmela Z both had just one fence down apiece.

Howley completed his brilliant double clear with a faultless second round, while another Irish clear from Gallagher kept the pressure on midway leaders France.

Another excellent clear from anchor rider Burke meant Ireland would finish on a two-round total of four faults.

When the final French rider crossed the line with eight faults, Ireland secured victory, France took second while Spain finished third of the nine teams who competed.

Ireland were also in five-star Nations Cup action on Friday afternoon at Rome in Italy, with Michael Blake’s team of Bertram Allen (Pacino Amiro (ISH), Denis Lynch (Cristello), Cian O’Connor (C Vier 2) and Darragh Kenny (VDL Cartello), finishing eighth of 10 teams.

Ireland finished on a two-round total of 20 faults, with the highlight being a clear first round from O’Connor with C Vier 2 and a clear second round from Lynch and Cristello. France took victory as the only team to finish on a zero score.

Earlier in the day, Offaly's Darragh Kenny and Volnay du Boisdeville scored their second win in the space of 24 hours.

The pair took the top prize in Thursday’s 1m55 speed class and again