IRELAND finished fourth of 13 teams at the three star Nations’ Cup show at Odense, Denmark today (Friday).

Three clear jumping rounds aided the Irish effort and helped them not only qualify for the second round but also improve their overall ranking.

The Irish pathfinder was Capt. Brian Cournane on the Irish Sport Horse Javas Keltic Mist, who scored one time fault in the first round and five jumping faults in the second.

Capt Geoff Curran and a second Irish Sport Horse, Mullaghbane, had nine faults first time out but staged a notable recovery to finish on a zero score in the second round of the Cup.

Michael Duffy and Cortina 200 had an unfortunate 12 faults in the first round, but came back on their next attempt with just a single time fault on the board.

Thomas Ryan and the grey Caribo had a single fence down, but recorded a zero score in the second round.

Chef d’Equipe James Tarrant said that he felt that Ireland was a little unlucky in the first round and this was borne out by the addition of only one penalty in the second round.

He said: “Capt. Brian Cournane was excellent in only his second senior Nations’ Cup appearance, the first being Drammen last week where he jumped double clear.

“Capt. Geoff Curran turned in an immaculate performance in the second round to return a clear round. Michael Duffy, making his senior team debut, put matters right in the second round returning a score of one time penalty.

“Regular Irish team member Thomas Ryan was his usual consistent self posting a four and a zero.”

Tarrant said that Odense was an excellent opportunity to compete with some new team members and he felt that they greatly benefited from the experience and he was very proud of the team’s spirited fightback in the second round.

Some of the owners of the team horses were present and they greatly added to the occasion and Tarrant also thanked the owners of all the horses for their continued support of Team Ireland.