The Irish Women\u2019s 4x400m relay team turned in a hugely impressive performance to qualify for the 2027 World Athletics Championships on the second day of competition at the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana.<\/p>\n
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The quartet of Rachel McCann (North Down AC), Sophie Becker (Raheny Shamrock AC), Arlene Crossan (Finn Valley AC) and Sharlene Mawdsley (Newport AC) combined to win their qualification heat in 3:23.83, their fastest time since 2024. Victory sealed the team\u2019s spot in Beijing, where the World Athletics Championships will take place in September 2027.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe\u2019re absolutely chuffed,\u201d Sophie Becker told Athletics Ireland. \u201cSharlene and I crunched the numbers last night and we figured that if we all did what we did yesterday we\u2019ll run 3:23, which we did. I\u2019m delighted, so proud, it just goes to show the depth we\u2019re building in Ireland.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI\u2019m so proud of the mixed and women\u2019s teams this weekend,\u201d Sharlene Mawdsley added. \u201cWe\u2019ve delivered performances to be proud of. We were crunching the numbers, and we literally picked our team at 11am this morning, we didn\u2019t know what relay we were going to run\u2026I\u2019m absolutely thrilled. <\/p>\n
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The Women\u2019s 4x100m team of Precious Akpe-Moses (Blackrock AC), Ciara Neville (Emerald AC), Mollie O\u2019Reilly (Dundrum South Dublin AC) and Sarah Leahy (Killarney AC) were fourth in their qualification heat in 44.25 seconds but have gained valuable experience this weekend.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThe aim of today was to have a clean race and run fast,\u201d Ciara Neville said. \u201cWe\u2019re lucky that we have such depth that we could bring Precious in today and see what she could add to the team\u2026We\u2019ll look to build on that for the rest of the season.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The Mixed 4x400m team of Jack Raftery (Donore Harriers), Jenna Breen (City of Lisburn AC), Sean Doggett (Athenry AC) and Erin Friel (Letterkenny AC) finished seventh in their heat in 3:19.34. For Friel, her leg marked a senior international debut at the age of just 18.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI\u2019ve had the most amazing experience from camp to here,\u201d she said. \u201cThat was my first senior race, but it was such an honour to line up alongside world class athletes, even those in my team. I\u2019ve had the best experience and took so much from that race.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Team Ireland Results Summary <\/p>\n
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Day Two \u2013 Sunday May 3rd<\/p>\n
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Mixed 4x400m (Jack Raftery, Jenna Breen, Sean Doggett and Erin Friel) \u2013 World Championship Qualification Round Two \u2013 Heat 2\/2 \u2013 3:19.34 (7th in heat)Women\u2019s 4x400m (Rachel McCann, Sophie Becker, Arlene Crossan and Sharlene Mawdsley) \u2013 World Championship Qualification Round Two \u2013 Heat 1\/2 \u2013 3:23.83 (1st in heat, qualified for World Athletics Championships)Women\u2019s 4x100m (Precious Akpe-Moses, Ciara Neville, Mollie O\u2019Reilly and Sarah Leahy) \u2013 World Championship Qualification Round Two \u2013 Heat 2\/2 \u2013 44.24 (4th in heat)<\/p>\n
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