Double clear round for Derry's Daniel Coyle and Incredible as Ireland finish runners-up in Nations Cup

The Irish Show Jumping team of Michael Duffy, Bertram Allen, Cian O'Connor and Daniel Coyle, finished as runners-up in the four-star Nations Cup at Wellington International in Florida, USA in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Ireland had been bidding to win the Wellington Nations Cup for the second year in-a-row but were denied victory by the USA who lifted the trophy after a brilliant performance in front of their home fans.

Ireland were in second place at the halfway stage on four faults after clear rounds from Wexford's Bertram Allen with Qonquest de Rigo and from Derry's Daniel Coyle with Incredible, along with a four fault score from Meath's Cian O'Connor with Belvedere.

The second round saw Coyle complete a double clear performance, while Allen and O'Connor finished with four faults apiece. 

Galway's Michael Duffy was the discard score in both rounds with Cantano 32 and that left Ireland on a final score of 12 faults and in second place at the finish.

READ NEXT: Ireland victorious at memorable Youth International tournament at Derry's Guildhall

The all-female American team of Natalie Dean, Carly Anthony, Charlotte Jacobs and Laura Kraut had been leading at the halfway stage on a clear scorecard and picked up just 5 faults second time out to win in convincing fashion. Belgium filled third place on the podium on 17 faults with Canada fourth, Mexico fifth and Great Britain sixth.

Irish focus now turns to the five-star Longines League of Nations in Ocala, Florida on March 22, where Ireland will be hoping for a repeat of their win at the same venue in 2024.