IRISH RELAY TEAM FINISH 8TH AT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Ireland’s mixed 4x400 relay team got the World Athletics Championships in Oregon off to brilliant start for team Ireland on day 1, claiming 8th place (3:16:86) in the 4x400m final which took place in the early hours of this morning (July 16th).

The team of Christopher O’Donnell, Sophie Becker, and Jack Raftery returned to the track following a superb automatic qualifying performance in the heats earlier in the day. Sharlene Mawdsley took the place of Rhasidat Adeleke who was ill following her outstanding performance in the earlier heat, not recovering sufficiently to take her place in the final.

The quartet left everything out on the track once more, setting out their intentions from the gun with O’Donnell going out hard to stay in touching distance of those medal places. The earlier heat performance would ultimately take its toll but making world finals on a consistent basis marks another huge milestone for the Irish athletics.

The result continues a remarkable run for the Irish relay teams, backing up the 4x400m team’s Olympic final appearance in Tokyo (8th) which included outstanding performances from Phil Healy and Cillín Greene.

Becker, O’Donnell, and Adeleke (should she recover) will be back in individual action later this week.

Sarah Healy was also in action in the early hours of this morning, finishing 12th (4:11:31) in heat 1 of the 1500m which turned into a sprint with 500m to go. The performance was unfortunately not enough to see Healy progress to the semi-final, but it marks yet more major championship appearance for the 21-year-old.

David Kenny finished 39th (1:31:23) in the men’s 20k walk. The conditions were extremely tough and although Kenny went with the leading pack from the gun, he would soon drop back as the pace upped in the sweltering conditions. Kenny was one of the youngest athletes in the field and will no doubt be back in World Championship action for years to come.

Eric Favors and John Kelly rounded out Irish involvement on day 1, both going in the men’s shot put qualifying. Favors posted a best of 19.76m, while Kelly threw a best of 17.92m. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to progress but it was another highlight of the day to see two Irish throwers in World Championship action.

Day 2

Ireland's Thomas Barr (PB 47.97 Rio 2016) was unlucky to miss out on an Olympic final in Tokyo and will have his sights firmly set on progressing through the heats of the 400mH (9.41pm Irish time) on day 2. Barr made it 10 national 400m hurdle title last month and has looked to be returning to full sharpness at the right time once more in what looks to be arguably the most high quality event of these championships.

Andrew Coscoran (PB 3:35.66) will go in the heats of the 1500m on day 2 and will be looking to build on his Olympic semi-final appearance in Tokyo. Coscoran is another who saves his best for the biggest occasions but faces a stiff task with the first 6 of each heat (Q) plus 6 fastest times (q) qualifying for the 1500m semi-final.

Irish in action (Irish time):

Day 2:

• 9.41pm Thomas Barr 400mH Heat 4
• 2.30am Andrew Coscoran 1500m Heat 1

Day 3:

• 7.05pm Christopher O'Donnell 400m Heats
• 8.00pm Sophie Becker & Rhasidat Adeleke 400m Heats

Day 6:

• 1.02am Mark English 800m Heats

Day 7:

• 1.10am Louise Shanahan 800m Heats

Day 8:

• 1.40am Women 4x100m Heats

Day 9:

• 7.20pm Sarah Lavin 100mH Heats

Day 10

• 2.15pm Brendan Boyce 35k Walk

Start lists and timetables are available HERE

Full list of results: HERE