The Connolly’s Red Mills Spring Tour came to an exciting finish last Saturday at Maryville with Deane Rogan claiming victory in the class while Tipperary’s Liam O’Meara regained the overall title for the second year.

O’Meara saw off the challenge from his nearest rival John Floody who finished just 4.5 points behind him in the overall standings. O’Meara took the title when finishing on 70.5 points. Among his good results was two wins and four second place finishes.

A delighted O’Meara said: “It was great to take the title for the second year. John put it up to me but luckily enough I had done enough towards the end of the tour to be in a comfortable position. I would like to thank all those that supported me and to all the sponsors of the tour, without them this league would not be possible.”

The final round attracted a strong startlist of 50 combinations but just seven of those battled it out over Peter Gillespie’s jump-off course. Although Floody secured a place in the jump-off with Mise Le Meas, O’Meara had the title won when he booked his place in the jump-off as any points gained at that stage meant he had done enough to overtake Floody.

First to go, Alan O’Regan and Liberation delivered the first double clear of the class in 42.99 which would later proved good enough for third place and as a result, he also took the top pro am prize of the round.

Liam O’Meara may have secured the title but things didn’t go entirely his way when he crossed the line carrying four faults in 42.19 with Curraghgraigue Jack Take Flight for fifth place.

Clare native Conor McMahon was best of the young riders as he partnered Castle Quarter’s Stable’s Golden Arrow II O.L to a clear in 45.94 for eventual fourth place.

Going midway in the jump-off, Rogan wasted no time with Falco van Spieveld. A series of tight turns saw him cross the line clear in 39.47 to take the lead.

Jason Higgins’ decision to play it safe with Amaretto cost him dearly as four faults in a slower time of 48.44 meant a sixth place finish for the Wexford rider.

Kilkenny’s Eddie Moloney proved out of luck when faulting twice with Chicago in 58.39 for seventh place.

Foot-perfect

Last to go, all eyes were on John Floody and he didn’t disappoint as he delivered a foot-perfect round with Mise Le Meas in 39.85, which saw him finish behind Rogan. Despite not taking the win, it was a good day for Floody as he took home €750 for his runner-up placing in the league, ahead of Vincent Byrne who finished third in the standings.

Best of the four-faulters in the first round and taking eighth place was William McDonald riding Ballinagore Ice. Offaly’s Christopher Connell was crowned the overall young rider champion and won the training bursary with Comdt Gerry Flynn.

Connell’s mount BVS Echo Island took the win in the Castlefield Sporthorse Young Horse Section, ahead of O’Meara’s Curraghgraigue Jack Take Flight. Owned by Brosna View Stables, BVS Echo Island is an eight-year-old by Clover Echo out of Pinicale.

Next weekend the action will move to the TRM/Horseware National and Premier Series with Louth County Show hosting the first of the rounds.