The Ireland women’s 4 x 400 metres relay team have qualifed for Saturday’s Olympic final after finishing third in their semi-final heat on Friday morning.
Laghey’s Kelly McGrory was selected for the semi-final, on leg three, in preference to Sligo AC’s Lauren Cadden.
McGrory and her team-mates Sophie Becker, Phil Healy and Sharlene Mawdseley clocked a time of 3:25.05, to come third in their race behind Jamaica and the Netherlands.
McGrory, 27, ran a gutsy third leg, maintaining Ireland’s lead until the home straight when she was overtaken by three athletes coming up to the changeover.
Sharlene Mawdsley, on the anchor leg for Ireland, ran a very strong final 400m to ensure a top-three finish, and with it qualification for the Olympic final.
“We said we were going to do it, we did it!” –
Sophie Becker, Phil Healy, Kelly McGrory and Sharlene Mawdsley react to qualifying for the 4x400m relay final
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Ireland may have the option of added Rhasidat Adeleke to the team for Saturday evening’s final – depending on how the Dubliner recovers from Friday evening’s individual 400m final (7pm Irish time).
The relay squad also includes Sligo’s Lauren Cadden and Bangor’s Rachel McCann.
The 4×400 metres Olympic final is scheduled for Saturday night at 8:14pm.
