O"Brien to fly Irish flag in crucial Nations Cup decider

Athlone rider Captain David O"Brien is to compete on the Irish team in the final of the Samsung Super League in Barcelona this weekend. The Samsung Super League consists of a league of the eight top Nations Cups in the world and the top eight countries compete in this competition. The final of the Samsung Super League takes place in Spain on September 21. Ireland currently lies fifth in the league, and will fight to stay away from the lower end of the table, where the eighth team becomes relegated. Double points are awarded for places at Barcelona, and so ranking is subject to radical change if a team performs poorly. Captain O"Brien made his Super League debut this season in Rotterdam in June and since competed in two other Super League events, in Hickstead in London and Aachen in Germany, before losing his berth on the team for the Aga Khan Nations Cup at the Dublin Horse Show in August. However, he has again been selected by team manager Robert Splaine, after the suspension of Denis Lynch and the decision by Jessica Kuerten to decline to take part. The Irish team will now also include Cian O"Connor, Captain Shane Carey and Cameron Hanley.