Ireland fourth heading into European Championship final

Ireland's showjumping team have comfortably qualified as one of the 10 teams to go forward to Friday’s FEI European Championship final where medals are on offer.

Michael Blake’s Irish team, consisting of Michael Duffy, Trevor Breen, Shane Sweetnam and Eoin McMahon, will go into the decider in fourth place on a score of 10 penalties less than one penalty off Germany who are in the gold medal spot.

Less than one time penalty separates the top four teams of Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and Ireland to set up what promises to be an enthralling team decider, with Ireland hoping to repeat their European team gold medal win from Gothenburg in 2017.

Ireland started the day in fourth place after Wednesday's opening speed competition.

Michael Duffy was the first Irish team rider into the arena in the second round of action with the 14-year-old mare Cinca 3. An impressive clear round from the Galway rider got Ireland off to the perfect start.

Tipperary's Trevor Breen and Highland President were next to go for the Irish and were clear coming to the last part of the course, but picked up eight faults on the way home including a pole down at the troublesome last fence.

Cork's Shane Sweetnam and the Irish bred CSF James Kann Cruz (ISH), bred in Galway by Patrick Connolly, then gave Ireland a huge boost with a perfect clear as third to jump.

Clare's Eoin McMahon was the last of the Irish riders to jump with the 12-year-old mare Mila and a four-fault score kept Ireland well in the hunt for the medals.

Germany hold the lead on 9.31 penalties ahead of Sweden in silver on 9.51. Switzerland are in bronze on 9.92 just ahead of Ireland on 10.0.

Austria are just over a fence further back in fifth on 16.77 while the home team from Italy are in sixth on