IRELAND’S SHOWJUMPING SQUAD have missed out on Olympic qualification by less than half of a penalty point, but bizarre circumstances clouded Cian O’Connor’s run.
At today’s European Championships in Aachen, the 2012 bronze medalist was disrupted when a steward ran across his path and leapt in to a flowerbed.
O’Connor was clearly annoyed by the unexpected obstacle and what had been a clear round soon picked up four faults to hamper the hopes of Richard Splaine’s squad.
Team Ireland has lodged an objection to the bizarre interruption. If successful, Ireland’s hope of featuring at Rio 2016 may not be over.