Denis Lynch bows-out of the Irish Team

Irish hopes of qualification for the 2012 London Olympic Games suffered a severe setback with the news that Denis Lynch has ‘ quit’ the Irish team and could be tempted to ride for Germany in future (though that would be most unlikely to happen before London 2012 due to F.E.I international regulations.

‘Irreconcilable differences’ over team tactics appears to lie behind Lynch’s decision. Show Jumping followers will be aware that Lynch’s wife is German and he worked there for nigh on 16 years. Married with one Child , the Lynches live in Muenster.

The 34 years old Lynch is disillusionment with the Irish team Management, particularly Splaine, who will continue in his present role, it was revealed at the weekend until after the London Games.

Though acutely aware this may be perceived as unpatriotic, Lynch says to go on would do ‘a disservice to himself and his country’.

“I cannot give the same consideration to the team as I have previously. The team must come first, not me, an individual, and if I cannot give the same commitment, there is no point in continuing.

“I have spoken with Horse Sport Ireland and I don’t think we can achieve anything at the moment. The relationship between myself and Robert has broken down, but manager/athlete situations like these occur in all sports. I have to recognise our relationship is poor and this could definitely affect the team in the future. So I have to question my involvement,” said the 34-year-old.

He was particularly disappointed that Ireland did not win a medal as had been hoped in last year’s World Equestrian Games in Kentucky and failed to qualify for the London Games.

“I was really disappointed with my own personal performance, but also I was disappointed with us as a team. I think a lot more could have been achieved and I put our failure down to poor tactics. It was great to win the nations cup in Aachen and as a team we had a reasonable year, but in my opinion, we failed in our one major goal: to qualify for the Olympics.”

Would he consider riding for Germany? : “Why not? My wife is German and I have lived and worked here for 16 years. There have been conversations with officials from the German Federation, but nothing has been decided yet,” said Lynch.