IRELAND CAME OUT on top of a fiercely competitive field at the RDS today to win the Aga Khan trophy.
Led by Olympic medallist Cian O’Connor on Blue Loyd, the hosts incurred only five penalty points.
The team which also featured Clem McMahon, Richie Moloney and Darragh Kerins looked comfortable throughout. France’s Kevin Staut went on his last round looking to level the scores, but collected four faults to seal top spot for Ireland.
Eight points incurred by France, but it was enough to see off the challenge of Great Britain, led by gold medallist Nick Skelton.
McMahon, from Clones Co. Monaghan produced a double clear round on his eight-year-old, Pacino, while O’Connor looked on course for a clear round of his own, but downed his very last rail. With the result secure, he was not needed to jump a second round.
The result has lifted Ireland to third place in the Superleague standings, well clear of the relegation places.
