Ireland begin Nations Cup with fourth place in Sopot

Ireland claimed fourth place in the FEI Nations Cup of Poland in Sopot on Sunday.

The team of Denis Lynch, Trevor Breen, Mark McAuley and Darragh Kenny were competing in Europe's top division for the first time this year.

Lynch made the ideal start as he managed a clear round aboard Brooklyn Heights. That was followed by Highland President, riden by Breen, who ended up with one fence down and a single time fault.

McAuley was up next, but his proved to be Ireland's discard run after he ended up with nine faults on Django Ste Hermelle. Kenny then finished with one fence down aboard Volnay Du Boisdeville to leave the team fourth, on nine faults, at the halfway point.

Lynch gave Ireland's hopes a big shot in the arm when he managed a second faultless run of the day on Brooklyn Heights, before Breen managed a similar result - although with a time penalty.

McAuley had another nine-fault run, before Kenny finished with one time fault to see Ireland finish with 10 faults overall.

Germany, with four points, took top spot ahead of France (7 faults) and Switzerland (8 faults) finished off the top three.

Ireland's fourth place finish saw them collect 70 points at what was their first points-scoring round in Europe Division 1 on the road to the FEI Nations Cup World Final in Barcelona at the end of September.

The team's remaining three Nations Cup outings in Europe Division 1 will all be shown live on RTÉ2 starting at Rotterdam in The Netherlands on 24 June, followed by Hickstead (UK) on 29 July and Ireland's home Nations Cup for the Aga Khan Trophy at the Dublin Horse Show on 19 August.