IRELAND’S RHYS MCCLENAGHAN says he is “disappointed” and “so much more than I demonstrated” after his fifth-place finish in the pommel horse final at the European Gymnastics Championships this afternoon.
One of Ireland’s biggest medal hopes for the Olympic Games in Tokyo this summer, McClenaghan qualified in first place for the final in Basel, scoring 14.766 on Thursday while unveiling a new routine.
Eyeing a second European gold, the 21-year-old fell late on in a dramatic final and placed fifth with a score of 13.566. A rare mistake forced him to dismount; a disappointing turn of events as the 2018 champion missed out on a medal.
Disappointed. I’m so much more than what I demonstrated at these Europeans. The difficult side of sport... Back to the gym. pic.twitter.com/IFz8ZI3SaV
— Rhys Mcclenaghan (@McClenaghanRhys) April 24, 2021
“Disappointed,” McClenaghan — who was presented with the Shooting Star award last night — wrote on Twitter.
“I’m so much more than what I demonstrated at these Europeans. The difficult side of sport… Back to the gym.”
Armenian Artur Davtyan claimed gold, Russia’s Nikita Nagornyy finished second [both 14.266] and Great Britain’s Joe Fraser scored 14.066 to take home bronze.
Desperately disappointing for Rhys McClenaghan, the line between momentum and control must be so thin...and with sore wrists to boot. @McClenaghanRhys is the ultimate competitor and will be back stronger, as he’s shown before 🤸🏻♂️ @GymnasticsIre
— Evanne Ní Chuilinn (@EvanneNiC) April 24, 2021
See what happens when a team has belief in itself, versus a team who’s manager automatically declares the opposition are superior? Same goes for Northern Ireland – it is always 11 against 11 – if you have belief!
What was Trap saying??
Sweden are the team which Ireland must challenge for
2nd place?? Yeah right…
Wow just wow
As if we didn’t know already, we’re fecked!!
all I can.say is terrible by germany especially as at home sweden.will see that as a win
bad for ireland considering we still.got to go to sweden austria and germany probably need 7 points from.them 3 games to have any chance
This is a reminder that anything can happen in football. For all the pessimists out there, this doesn’t mean Sweden are nailed on for second place! I would only take hope from the game. If you had seen how incredible Germany’s performance was in the first half, and how poor Sweden were, the result is even more baffling. Main point: Any of the teams in our group could collapse at any stage. We are not the only team with problems! It is absolutely crazy to be worrying about Ireland not qualifying at this point in the group!!