In a massive day for Irish Athletics at the World U20 Junior Championships, Team Ireland won an historic silver medal in the 4x100m relay. Earlier, race walker Orla O'Connor set a new Irish U20 record in the 10km walk.
4x100m Relay Event
After much anticipation and excitement, the Irish relay team of Molly Scott, Gina Akpe-Moses, Ciara Neville and Patience Jumbo-Gula took home silver in the 4x100m final, with a time of 43.90. This is a new National U20 Record. Germany took gold in 43.82
Running in lane 5, Molly Scott got Team Ireland off to a solid start in the first leg. Gina, who reached the final of the 100m, then followed with the athletes neck and neck. With Germany slightly ahead, the baton was passed on to Ciara Neville, who replaced Rhasidat Adeleke from the heats. Patience anchored the race and made up incredible ground to overtake Italy and GB to bring home an historic silver medal for Ireland.
The team had qualified for the final after a superb race which saw them beat Italy, France and Jamaica to win the heat in 44.27. Rhasidat Adeleke was in place for Ciara Neville as she was competing in the 200m.
In Ireland's 32-year history at the U20 World Championships prior to this, they had ammassed just the medals (both silver). With this new talented bunch of sprinters coming through, the future of Irish athletics is both exciting and alive.
10km Walk Event
Earlier in the day, Orla O'Connor (Waterford AC) and Niamh O'Connor (Celbridge AC) competed in the 10km walk. Orla O'Connor set a new Irish U20 record of 47:55.40. This secured her 14th place in the final. Celbridge AC's Niamh O'Connor was subject to a time penalty and came through in 53:25.90 to finish 31st.
14th in the world and an Irish U20 record of 47:55.40 for Orla O'Connor!
A tough day for Niamh O'Connor who had to serve a time penalty but still finishes 31st in 53:25.90. pic.twitter.com/sRrOpaWoly— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) July 14, 2018
100m Hurdles Event
After booking her place in the semi-finals on Friday morning, Molly Scott ran 13.94 finsihing 8th. This was .01 of a seconds faster than her time in the heats but unfrotunately wasn't enough to send her through to the final. Check out Molly's run on Friday!
Highjump Event
In what will be Team Ireland's last event at the IAAF World U20 Championships, Sommer Lecky will compete in the highjump final. This will take place from 11:30am Irish Time. There is every chance Sommer can medal and bring further success to Irish Athletics in this golden period!
