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
I suppose a natural development since Kilkenny’s physicality in the air has evolved the game into more of a physical battle. Hope there’s still a place for a Joe Deane or eoin Kelly type player in the modern game, hurling would be much poorer otherwise
There are not enough hardy lads in Tipp for the kind of game Ryan wants to impose .
I’d like to think you still need to be able to hurl to succeed tho. It’ll be interesting to see how Clare do with their pace and skill based game. I think it would be good for hurling to see them in croke park again. Hopefully Tipp can get the balance of brain and brawn right tho
Just because lads are after getting big and strong it does not mean that we after loosing a type of player.I think lads like TJ,Richie Hogan,JJ Delaney,Joe Canning and Callanan are just as skillful and class as Deane and Kelly.Just look at the player of the year nominees this year…….all three are like Houdini when they have a sliotar in their hands.Its the way the game is being played is changing.I think Kilkenny just brought more intensity rather than physicality,as the game was much more physical just as far back as 20 years ago.And more again 40 and 50yrs ago
For too long now ,Tipp have thrown away Munsters and all-Irelands due to their non physicality….
As Tommy Docherty once said when describing a Ladies team ” their lovely to look at,, but they wont hurt you ”
Maybe its time to bring back Hells Kitchen !!
I’m still scratching my head trying to figure out why maher was centre forward last year. I think right half back is his best position , in midfield he goes in and out of games. He’s more solid than Barrett.
Just as long as he doesn’t throw the baby out with the bath water. EOS was on the cusp of cracking it but his team lacked a bit of edge, not helped by injuries to the like if Mahony, Cahill, Stapleton etc. who add a bit of bite to the team. I would nearly prefer lose than sacrifice EOS’s hurling philosophy in favour of that sweeper system/ Donegal tactic that other teams are employing. Also if Michael Quinlivan can hurl he would be well worth a try.
That’s the worry Johnny, but I hope with the likes of bubbles, Callanan and Noel McGrath you have the bones of a hurling front 6 as opposed to a blunt battering ram. Galway even uppe’d the physicality stakes this year as well. Where’s it all going to end.. in puke football territory maybe? I like you still want to retain our nice brand of hurling identity if possible
Tipp need to find a few more players. No Denis Maher? The question you need to ask as a fan is how many of this squad would start on a Kilkenny first 15? 4-5 at a push, this is the bench mark for Tipp unfortunately.