And so we come to the final day of competition in Rome and after winning their heat in clocking the second-fastest time in history by an Irish quartet, the women’s 4x400m relay team will now have their sights on gold.
The final takes place at 8.06pm Irish time and will see Rhasidat Adeleke back involved, taking the place of Lauren Cadden. Sophie Becker will lead the team off, handing over to Adeleke, with Phil Healy waiting on taking the third leg and Mawdsley on anchor
Ireland’s time of 3:24.81 saw them qualify fastest, with Mawdsley, hours after competing in the 400m individual, called into action again after Kelly McGrory picked up a niggle.
The experienced Becker led the team out, handing to Phil Healy with Ireland in third place.
Healy consolidated that position, with Cadden – making her major championship debut – hanging tough to stay in the top four. That allowed the imperious Mawdsley to chase down the top three before gliding to the front inside the last 50 metres, winning the race ahead of France, Belgium, Spain and Italy.
In the men’s 10,000m final at 8.44pm, Ireland will have five competitors in action – Brian Fay, Efrem Gidey, Peter Lynch, Cormac Dalton and Barry Keane.
And then at 9.26pm, Andrew Coscoran goes in the 1,500m final.
The Balbriggan native came through a rather messy heat on Monday. He hit the front as they headed for the last lap – just before a tangle at the back of the group wiped out four athletes, who tumbled out of contention.
With a top-six finish required to progress, Coscoran dug deep in the last 100 metres to hang on to fifth in 3:38.52.
(All Irish times)
Women’s 4x400m relay final
8.06pm: Sophie Becker, Rhasidat Adeleke, Phil Healy, Sharlene Mawdsley
Men’s 10,000m final
8:44pm: Brian Fay, Efrem Gidey, Peter Lynch, Cormac Dalton, Barry Keane
Men’s 1,500m final
9.26pm: Andrew Coscoran
