Gold for Ireland as 4x400m mixed relay team swoop home at the European Athletics Championships

The mixed 4x400m relay team of Chris O'Donnell, Rhasidat Adeleke, Thomas Barr & Sharlene Mawdsley produced a magnificent performance to win gold for Ireland at the European Athletics Championships on Friday night.

In the end, the Irish team came home in time of 3:09.92, a championship record for what was a fabulous success.

North Sligo athlete O'Donnell kicked things off and was fourth in 46.09 when handing over to Adeleke, who clocked a super 49.53 second split, before handing to Barr in first.

The Waterford man posted a lung-busting 44.90 and in second place when passing the baton to Mawdsley (49.40) who bided her time before hitting the front coming down the last 100m.

Ireland finished ahead of Italy (3:10.69) with the Netherlands third in 3:10.69.

Naturally, the Irish team were in jubilant mood when they spoke to RTÉ Sport after their success.

"Unbelievable, everything we've dreamed of," said O'Donnell, who wasn't showing any pre-race nerves.

"When I started going into the blocks, I really felt I was doing it for the whole country. I wasn't nervous, I was really excited because I've seen these guys next to me and the support we have in the stadium. It's an unbelievable, we just can't get over it."

For Adeleke, delivering a gold medal was something she felt Ireland were on course to do.

"It means so much because we knew what we could do as a team; we were really strong and it just felt like it was our turn - to win a championship medal at senior level. We've worked so hard, we trust each other, and that showed on the track today."

Barr, running in his sixth European Championships, now has a gold medal to go along the bronze he won in the 400m hurdles in 2018.

"I have been around a long time and medals at European Championships