The Irish Women’s 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.
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’s spot in Beijing, where the World Athletics Championships will take place in September 2027.
“We’re absolutely chuffed,” Sophie Becker told Athletics Ireland. “Sharlene and I crunched the numbers last night and we figured that if we all did what we did yesterday we’ll run 3:23, which we did. I’m delighted, so proud, it just goes to show the depth we’re building in Ireland.
“I’m so proud of the mixed and women’s teams this weekend,” Sharlene Mawdsley added. “We’ve delivered performances to be proud of. We were crunching the numbers, and we literally picked our team at 11am this morning, we didn’t know what relay we were going to run…I’m absolutely thrilled.
The Women’s 4x100m team of Precious Akpe-Moses (Blackrock AC), Ciara Neville (Emerald AC), Mollie O’Reilly (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.
“The aim of today was to have a clean race and run fast,” Ciara Neville said. “We’re lucky that we have such depth that we could bring Precious in today and see what she could add to the team…We’ll look to build on that for the rest of the season.”
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.
“I’ve had the most amazing experience from camp to here,” she said. “That was my first senior race, but it was such an honour to line up alongside world class athletes, even those in my team. I’ve had the best experience and took so much from that race.”
Team Ireland Results Summary
Day Two – Sunday May 3rd
- Mixed 4x400m (Jack Raftery, Jenna Breen, Sean Doggett and Erin Friel) – World Championship Qualification Round Two – Heat 2/2 – 3:19.34 (7th in heat)
- Women’s 4x400m (Rachel McCann, Sophie Becker, Arlene Crossan and Sharlene Mawdsley) – World Championship Qualification Round Two – Heat 1/2 – 3:23.83 (1st in heat, qualified for World Athletics Championships)
- Women’s 4x100m (Precious Akpe-Moses, Ciara Neville, Mollie O’Reilly and Sarah Leahy) – World Championship Qualification Round Two – Heat 2/2 – 44.24 (4th in heat)
- Results are HERE
- Interviews available on Athletics Ireland social media channels
