L-R: Matthew O'Connor, Chris O'Connor, Adam Dalton, Daniel Fox

The Qualifications of the Junior Europeans has drawn to a close and the Irish team achieved a combined score of 207.200. 

Two team members, Chris O'Connor and Daniel Fox, competed on all apparatus and placed 58th and 77th respectively with scores of 72.625 and 69.925.  

The Junior Men's team started their qualifier on Floor, with Daniel Fox, from Douglas Gymnastics club, stepping up to the podium. A clean routine rewarded the 14-year-old, the second youngest competitor at the event, a score of 12.250. 

Christopher O'Connor (16), from Douglas, was up next and started his routine with a D-rated double front somersault. He competed a clean routine and finished with a one and a half full twist to gain an impressive 12.800.

Adam Dalton was the third gymnast to compete. Stepping-out on his first tumble, a two and a half twist, resulted in a 0.1 deduction. But the 14-year-old, also from Douglas, didn't let this phase him and followed with a one and a half twist, a double twist and finished with a handspring full twist. Another small step-out of the floor area resulted in another minor deduction, but he still scored a solid 12.175.  

The Irish team then moved to the Pommel Horse for the second rotation. 

Daniel Fox demonstrated great potential with a clean routine, picking up a respectable score of 11.00. Chris O'Connor was up next and a fall halfway through his routine meant a deduction of 1.0. His otherwise clean routine still merited him a score of 10.375. Matthew O'Connor (15), from Salto Gymnastics Club, was the third competitor on the pommel. He also had an unfortunate fall and scored 8.450.

The boys moved to Rings for the third rotation, were they all performed clean routines. Daniel Fox scored 11.8, Chris O'Connor scored 12.375 and Matthew O'Connor received 9.8.

On Vault the boys continued their clean streak. Daniel Fox competed one vault, scoring 12.150. Chris O'Connor also competed one vault, a straight Tsukahara, and scored 13.650. Adam Dalton competed two vaults and scored 13.125 on both.

On the Parallel Bars Daniel Fox fell on his double tuck dismount, but still secured a score of 12.025. Chris O'Connor scored 12.400 and Matthew O'Connor scored 10.875.

The team finished their final rotation on High Bar. Daniel Fox competed a solid routine and scored 10.70. Chris O'Connor scored 11.025. He fell on his Geinger roll to invert grasp, thwarting his chances of qualifying for the Junior Youth Olympics. Matthew O'Connor performed a clean routine and scored 10.225.

Well done to all our gymnasts and congratulations on their effort and hard work! 

Keep watching the website for more updates from the 2010 Europeans in Birmingham...