Team Ireland had survived and succeeded without its Roy Keane of the equestrian world, Jessica Kürten, writes Áine Kerr
In scenes reminiscent of doomed Irish soccer matches, the equestrian world yesterday found itself rooting for opposing teams in an effort to win the coveted Aga Khan trophy, avoid relegation and remain in contention for an international tournament.
But just as Irish soccer teams have provided complicated endings, which require painstaking mathematical calculations, Germany eclipsed the Netherlands and Ireland to secure the Aga Khan trophy.
Having started the afternoon's competitions with the sole mission of outdoing the Netherlands in order to avoid relegation in the Super League 2007, Ireland finished third amid scenes of jubilation. Team Ireland had survived and succeeded without its Roy Keane of the equestrian world, Jessica Kürten, but further questions abounded.
Outside the conference room in which the victorious German team clinked champagne glasses and smiled down on their new silverware, Irish show-jumper Shane Breen verbalised the calculations thousands outside were postulating over.
"Things look promising. We just need to finish 4th or 5th at the next round . . . with Sweden behind us," he said.
It all began to sound so familiar to fans accustomed to prolonged heartache and unwavering loyalty. On refusing offers of consoling cups of tea and coffee, he quipped, "Champagne will do the job", before adding that he would be forgoing a night of celebration because he is riding in the RDS Grand Prix today and tomorrow.
Inside, German chef d'equipe Sonke Sonksen was in jubilant form and repeating post-match conclusions so often recounted by an Irish team. "Last year we lost by one point. This year we won by one point," he surmised.
On the presentation of the Aga Khan trophy to Germany by President Mary McAleese, the German anthem echoed in the blustery winds while the horses reared up as the cymbals and bagpipes were played.
Flora the cow and Dicksy and Kelly, the miniature horses of Airfield House, were being nurtured by hordes of children outside.
As crowds clapped its quartet of Irish heroes around the RDS arena and thanked the Germans for beating the Netherlands into second place, a new and sobering reality was dawning on Irish sports fans.
The Irish soccer team will play Germany in a matter of weeks, while the equestrian world will find itself plotting against Sweden in an effort to acquire those necessary points of redemption.
Fans' heartache continues.