JAMES Kernan is “completely devastated” to be missing the FEI Jumping European Championship for Young Riders, Juniors and Children on Horses, which begins tomorrow, following a positive Covid-19 test.

The chef d’equipe has handed the role over to Liam Buckley, who is an advisor on the HSI Youth High Performance committee, and he will be assisted by Sally-Anne Tobin who is chair of the HSI High Performance pony committee.

“I am starting to turn a corner and feel a bit better; on Sunday I couldn’t lift my head off the pillow, I was so sick,” Kernan told The Irish Field. “I am completely devastated to miss the championships but I really hope they will bring back medals. Since I started, I’ve never had three teams going in with such live chances of medals.

“I have an able deputy in Liam Buckley, and there will be lots of experience on the ground over there with Cian O’Connor, Billy Twomey and Ger O’Neill. They will be in good hands and I am quite confident that the people over there will help them perform.

“The tonic that I need is a few gold medals! I will be watching every round,” Kernan added.

The championships begin tomorrow (Sunday) and run until July 25th in Vilamoura, Portugal.