McClenaghan closes out pommel final at the Cottbus World Cup

25.02.23 Cottbus, Germany; Rhys MClenaghan finished competing in the pommel final today ranking 5th with a score of 14.700 during the Cottbus World Cup in Germany, the first international event of 2023 for the Irish team on the road to Paris 2024 qualifications.

Team mates Adam Steele, Dominick Cunningham and Eamon Montgomery completed qualifications on Friday, with a personal best of 13.766 on pommel for Adam Steele.

Gymnastics Ireland National coach Luke Carson said:

"It was a high standard pommel horse final, it's early in the season and Rhys did a very good job going through his routine. One leg split cost him a podium finish, he missed out on a medal by 0.33, very close but it is high started gymnastics this year for everyone trying to qualify to World Championships, which is the Olympic qualifier.

Adam did a great job, it's the best pommel score he's ever scored so he is very happy. We will move on to Doha with the possibility of doing one or two more apparatus.

Dominick had an unfortunate fall on his floor exercise which mean there was no chance of a final from that point. His first vault was very good, his second vault was downgraded because his hand slipped.

Eamonn did a good routine, similar to Rhys, an error on one of his elements cost him a final, he missed out by just shy of 0.5 of a point."

Gymnastics Ireland’s Performance & Technical Manager, Sally Johnson added:

“First outing out for our gymnasts on stage of the World Cup Series, all have gained valuable experience as they continue on to Doha tomorrow and then Baku next week, where our apparatus specialists will hope to add and gain some valuable points to the series. Great to see Rhys in the final and securing 5th position with a slight deduction on execution pushing him out of medals in such high standard medal results”

Gymnastics Ireland CEO Mr. Ciaran Gallagher said:

“Great to see the lads back out on the World Cup circuit at the first event of 2023... Great outing for Rhys hitting pommel final and great warm up for Adam, Dominick & Eamon as they move to the next stop on the circuit. Congrats also to our coaches Luke & Conor!”

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