Historic world silver relay run

Historic world silver relay run

The Irish women’s 4x100m relay team made history by winning silver medals in a new national U20 record of 43.90 seconds at the IAAF World U20 Athletics Championships in Tampere, Finland today (July 14).

The quartet of Molly Scott (SLOT), Gina Akpe-Moses (Blackrock-Louth), Ciara Neville (Emerald) and Patience Jumbo-Gula (St Gerard’s Dundalk) struck silver narrowly behind the Germans who ran 43.82 with Great Britain and Northern Ireland third in 44.05.

Rhasidat Adeleke (Tallaght) had a hamstring injury which prevented her from making the final but it was superlative performance nonetheless. Scott, Akpe-Moses and Neville have been on countless relay teams together down through the years and reaped their rewards on the grandest stage.

It was only the third Irish medal at this level and the first relay podium placing.

The day got off to a brilliant start with a national U20 record by Orla O’Connor (Waterford) when she finished 14th in the 10k walk in 47:55.40. Niamh O’Connor (Celbridge) finished 31st in 53:25.90.

Molly Scott (SLOT) finished 8th in 13.94 in the 100m hurdles semi-final and subsequently bounced back with a brilliant first leg on the silver run of the relay team.

Darragh McElhinney (Bantry) had a tough world 5000m final where he was 18th in 14:53.63 with a battling display.

Sommer Lecky (Finn Valley) is the final competitor on the team in the high jump final at 11:30am Irish time.

You can watch the action live on the IAAF YouTube channel and Facebook page