Ireland into World Championship 4x400m relay final after a stunning display

The Ireland 4x400m mixed relay team are through to the final at the World Championships in Oregon after a blistering display in the heats, finishing second to gold medal contenders Domican Republic.

A stunning final leg run from Rhasidat Adeleke saw Ireland overhaul Jamaica and Spain to take one of the three automatic qualifying places.

The team of Christopher O'Donnell, Sophie Becker, John Raftery and Adeleke had made their intentions clear coming into the Championships, insisting that qualifying for the final was their minimum goal.

Having qualified for last year’s Olympic final in Tokyo and the World Relay Championships final, Ireland have proven that they’re genuine contenders but were up against a very strong field.

Starting in lane four, O’Donnell ran the first leg and made a solid start, with the Dominicans leading the way and O’Donnell neck-a-neck with Demish Gaye of Jamaica for the most part.

The Irishman made the handover in third place as Becker took over and like O’Donnell, she kept pace with the Jamican runner Roneisha McGregor.

Becker faded slightly in the final 100m, with McGregor stretching away and Germany’s Corinna Schwab overtaking her so that when the handover came, Ireland were in fourth place.

Rafferty didn’t make the best start and Ireland were briefly down to fifth before he swiftly found his stride and began to haul in those ahead of him. He ran the fastest third leg of anyone, in a time of 45.37 and in a slightly bunched handover, Ireland were fourth.

That was when Adeleke took the chance to announce herself on the global stage.

Showing pace and composure beyond her years, the Tallaght AC club woman stretched her legs and was swiftly up into third place and the automatic qualifying places.

With just 100m