Rapid relay for Ireland as team secures sensational silver

ANOTHER night in Rome and another hugely impressive performance from Ireland, as the Women’s 4x400m team secures silver.

Sophie Becker, Rhasidat Adeleke, Phil Healy and Sharlene Mawdsley dug deep to run a new national record of 3:22:71 – finishing only a fraction of a second behind the winners, Holland. 

Despite the pressure on the Irish team, Becker (52.00), Adeleke (49.39), Healy (51.51) and Mawdsley (49.84) stayed focused and ran a superb race that resulted in a show down between Mawdsley and Femke Bol.

Running last, Mawdsley kept pace with Femke Bol however, the Dutch runner pulled away in the final stretch, crossing the line in 3:22:29.

Ireland’s women’s 4x400m relay team of Sophie Becker, Rhasidat Adeleke, Phil Healy and Sharlene Mawdsley have secured a silver medal at the European Championships in a new Irish record time of 3:22.71. pic.twitter.com/6jTiX7zJok

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 12, 2024

Tallaght AC runner Adeleke, who is returning home with three senior medals, told RTE Sport: “It was so exciting, just to be out there with the girls.

“I love doing relays, it’s so much fun.

“Like we were in the tunnel cracking jokes and having the best time ever.

“Just being able to be out here regardless of how we did, to be out here with the girls and then on top of that to be in a final and to win a medal, it just couldn’t be better… I’m so proud of them.

“I so proud of everyone who supported us, it makes all this happen.”

Despite feeling the effects of a busy week, the four athletes are looking forward to the medal ceremony – which will see Holland, Ireland and Belgium take to the podium.