Ireland’s Fab Four of Sophie Becker, Rhasidat Adeleke, Phil Healy and Sharlene Mawdsley delivered a silver disc in Rome on Wednesday evening.
They finished just behind champions Holland in the 4x400m relay final after a thrilling run. Becker was buzzing after her first senior medal in a major competition.
“This is everything we’ve dreamed of, the crowd, the Irish here, it’s amazing,” she said.
“I don’t know if they realise how much the mixed team getting the gold at the start set the tone.
“It motivated the whole camp, all the team. We brought our make-up bags on the off chance we’d be on the podium!”
Adeleke was winning her third medal of the week – and made it clear she loves being part of a team in what is often seen as a lonely sport.
“I love the relay. It’s so fun. We were cracking jokes in the tunnel, having the best time,” she said.
“I’m so proud of everyone, the girls, the subs, the coaches, everyone who made this happen.
“The goal is to inspire the next generation, it has to start from somewhere.
“It’s great to know that we’re inspiring people.”
Phil Healy, at 29, is the veteran on the team but, like Becker, this was new territory for her.
“It’s my first senior medal, it’s the stuff of dreams, it’s so, so special,” she said.
“There are so many people that have helped me. I contemplated retirement many, many times last summer and I’m so glad I stuck with it.
“I’m obviously the oldest on this team. It all makes the tough years worthwhile.
Mawdsley ran another powerhouse anchor leg, and was running on fumes at the end.
“Honestly, it’s amazing. I’m beyond exhausted at this point,” she said.
“The girls got me through that run.
I’m so thankful. The mixed was amazing but there’s something amazing about these girls. We have so much fun, it’s brilliant.”
Also in action are Efrem Gidey, Cormac Dalton, Barry Keane, Peter Lynch, and Brian Fay, who all race in the Men’s 10,000m final at 8:44pm.
Andrew Coscoran finishes off Irish involvement at the championships when he goes in the Men’s 1500m final at 9:26pm.
21:32Darragh Culhane
1,500m result
Middle of the race finish for Andrew Coscoran as heavy favourite Jakob Ingebrigsten wins gold!
21:28Darragh Culhane
We are off in the 1,500m final
Andrew Coscoran is off in the 1,500m final and Ireland’s final involvement. No surprise that Jakob Ingebrigtsen is the heavy favourite
21:17Darragh Culhane
Final Irish involvement in the Championship
Andrew Coscoran will run in the 1,500m final at 9.26 pm.
21:16Darragh Culhane
10,000m result
Efram Gidey finishes best of the Irish in the 10,000m final a good bit off the leading pack but it’s Dominic Lobalu who wins gold.
21:07Darragh Culhane
10,000m update
Efram Gidey is holding onto THIRDas we hit 7,000 metres. Anything inside the top 10 will be a great finish here for the Irish athlete
20:44Darragh Culhane
Underway in the 10,000m final
We are underway in the 10,000m final!
20:37Darragh Culhane
10,000m race up next for Team Ireland
Efrem Gidey, Cormac Dalton, Barry Keane, Peter Lynch and Brian Fay all race in the Men’s 10,000m final
20:12Darragh Culhane
What a race! Ireland finish second
The national record is smashed as Ireland finish in a time 3.22.71! A sensational final leg by Sharlene Mawdsley who was so close to snatching a gold medal. A brilliant effort by all four runners.
20:10Darragh Culhane
Ireland finish second!!!
Sharlene Mawdsley is going to need to do something special to finish second or first. This is tense.
Mawdsleuy is right on the shoulder of Femke Bol but she holds on for second. Ireland get silver!
20:09Darragh Culhane
Healy hands to Mawdsley
Phil Healy hands over the baton in second place
20:08Darragh Culhane
Adeleke hands off the baton
Adeleke with a brilliant run and arrives into first place as she hands it off to Phil Healy
20:07Darragh Culhane
Adeleke handed the baton
Rhasidat Adeleke is handed the baton and Ireland are in fourth place
20:06Darragh Culhane
And we’re off!
On your marks, set, GO! Sophie Becker sets off for Ireland in Lane Six.
20:05Darragh Culhane
Athletes out on the track
The athletes are out on the track and we are ready to go in Rome
20:01Darragh Culhane
Running order
A reminder of the running order for Team Ireland
Leg One – Sophie Becker
Leg Two – Rhasidat Adeleke
Leg Three – Phil Healy
Leg Four – Sharlene Mawdsley
19:59Darragh Culhane
Five-minute warning
We are just five minutes away from the start of the race. TV coverage on RTE is set to begin just before the race starts.
19:49Darragh Culhane
Top contenders
Ireland will no doubt be going for gold but they face stiff opposition.
The Netherlands and Femke Bol offer a serious challenge as too do team Polan and current 400m champion Natalia Kaczmarek.
19:23Darragh Culhane
TV details
The race will be broadcast live on RTE Two and the RTE Player with TV coverage starting at 8 pm.
19:01Darragh Culhane
Hello and welcome
Hello and welcome to live coverage as Ireland look to add another medal to their impressive haul at the 2024 European Championships.
Superstar Rhasidat Adeleke won silver in the 400m final on Monday and has been drafted back in for today’s final having missed the semi-final due to her heavy workload. She will team up with Sharlene Mawdsley, with whom she won the 4x400m mixed relay gold with, and Phil Healy and Sophie Becker.
Today’s race goes off at 8.05 pm and can be watched live on RTE Two and the RTE Player.
Also in action will be Efrem Gidey, Cormac Dalton, Barry Keane, Peter Lynch and Brian Fay, who all race in the Men’s 10,000m final at 8:44pm.
Andrew Coscoran finishes off Irish involvement at the championships when he goes in the Men’s 1500m final at 9:26pm.
The Irish Mirror will have live updates of the all the action right here.