Ireland's women claim silver and set national record in 4x400m relay at European Championships

Ireland's women's 4x400m relay team of Sophie Becker, Rhasidat Adeleke, Phil Healy and Sharlene Mawdsley have secured a silver medal at the European Championships in a new Irish record time of three minutes 22.71 seconds.

The Netherlands were favourites to claim gold, ahead of Ireland and Poland and duly obliged in a leading European time this year of 3:22.39.

However, Poland disappointed and laboured to a sixth-place finish, with Belgium rounding off the podium places in 3:22.95.

Back in fourth, Italy established a new national record of their own of 3:23.40.

Ireland's women's 4x400m relay team of Sophie Becker, Rhasidat Adeleke, Phil Healy and Sharlene Mawdsley have secured a silver medal at the European Championships in a new Irish record time of 3:22.71. pic.twitter.com/6jTiX7zJok

In-form Ireland's previous national record of 3:24.38 was achieved at the World Relays in the Bahamas last month, while the team advanced to the final in Rome by winning their heat in 3:24.81, which was the fastest of the two heats, and the second-fastest time ever clocked by an Irish quartet.

Becker was fast out of the blocks and recorded a spit of 52.00, but Lieke Klaver ensured the Netherlands led at the first changeover.

Adeleke (49.36) received the baton for Ireland's second leg, making inroads into the Dutch advantage almost immediately and assuming the lead before her changeover to Healy (51.51) for the penultimate leg.

Lisanne de Witte whittled away at the Irish lead and the Netherlands were at the head of affairs as Mawdsley (49.84) took off for the anchor leg.

It briefly looked as if the Newport AC woman had a chance of overhauling Bol, but the 400m hurdles gold medallist and the Dutch were not to be denied.

Ireland's Sophie Becker,