The Irish women's 4x400m relay team made history this morning, breaking a national record and securing their spot in the final at the World Athletics Indoor Championship in Glasgow.
Having shown remarkable improvement over the last few years, hopes were high that the Irish quartet of Sharlene Mawdsley, Sophie Becker, Phil Healy, and Roisin Harrison would put in a good performance at this championships.
They did that and more.
Not only did they qualify as one of the six finalists, but their time of 3:28:45 also took over a second off the previous national record in this event.
✅ A new national record!
✅ Phil Healy and Sharlene Mawdsley ran the fastest in their respective legs!#WICGlasgow24 | #WorldIndoorChamps | @irishathletics https://t.co/nXfN5peCFb— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 3, 2024
It was a brilliant performance from all four Irish athletes, although it was particularly sweet for Sharlene Mawdsley.
Not only did she star during the final leg of the race, but she also bounced back brilliantly from her controversial disqualification from the 400m semi-final on Friday night.
READ HERE: Ireland's Sharlene Mawdsley Robbed Of World 400m Final Due To Controversial DQ
Sharlene Mawdsley earns 'redemption' with relay team heroics
Sharlene Mawdsley was in imperious form once again this morning, shaking off the disappointment of those events on Friday.
Not only did she lead Ireland home in the race, but her split of 50:48 was actually the fastest of her leg, one which featured world record holder Femke Bol.
Speaking to Virgin Media after the race, the Tipperary woman admitted she was emotional as she earned 'redemption' after those events earlier in the week.
🗣 "It's all to play for now this evening. We'll go out there fighting!"
Sharlene Mawdsley, Phil Healy, Sophie Becker and Roisin Harrison react to a new national record and reaching the World Final.
🇮🇪 🇮🇪 🇮🇪 #WICGlasgow24 | #WorldIndoorChamps | @irishathletics pic.twitter.com/hzFp0VREx3— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 3, 2024
Phil [Healy] just stormed off in that first leg and all the girls held their ground and handed the baton to me.
I had a bit of redemption to give today and honestly I can't put into words what this means to me, to step up with the girls today, I'm so pleased that we got a national record and the final.
We really couldn't ask for more than that. It's amazing...
I knew everyone was behind me. It is a little bit emotional, but I went to relay training with the girls yesterday and put it behind me.
Honestly, I couldn't have had a better support team between the girls here and all of Ireland really. They were on board and behind me.
We ran a national record and we're in the final. That was my redemption.
Well deserved.
Ireland will now prepare for a quick turnaround ahead of this evening's final, which will take place at around 8.30pm. Here's hoping for another special evening on the track.
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