ATHLETICS A Record 5 medals for Irish Team at World University Games

Ireland’s 4 x 100m Women’s relay team has won a bronze medal on the final night of competition at the World University Games in Izmir, Turkey. The quartet of Derval O’Rourke, Anna Boyle, Ailis McSweeney and Emily Maher claimed the first ever medal for an Irish relay team at a major games in a time of 44.69seconds, just two hundredths of a second outside the national record. Russia took gold in a time of 43.62seconds with France in second.
 
Antrim athlete Anna Boyle was completely elated: “Oh were just so so delighted to win bronze – I can’t believe it!  To be the first Irish relay team to win a medal at a major games is a honour for the four of us, something we’re all very proud of indeed. It’s just been an amazing week for the whole team, from day one people were just performing brilliantly and that created such a buzz in the camp, everyone was just inspired by eachother’s efforts.”

In tonight’s final it looked as if the foursome had lost their chance with two hundred metres to go. Derval O’Rourke, got a great start out of the blocks for the Irish and passed the baton with ease to Anna Boyle at the first changeover. Boyle charged down the back straight but got her wires crossed with Ailis McSweeney who actually had to stop in order to avoid dropping the baton. However, the Cork athlete battled hard to get back in contention around the home bend but suffered a heart stopping moment when last leg runner Emily Maher slipped as she took the baton off McSweeney, and had to check her step in order to avoid running out of her lane. Maher held her composure nonetheless and managed to edge the Canadian sprinter on the line to secure bronze.

Added to Derval O’Rourke’s bronze in the 100m hurdles, fellow relay runner Ailis McSweeney’s silver in the 100m final, Paul Hession’s 200m bronze and Jolene Byrne’s 5000m bronze last night this medal makes this, the 23rd Universiade in Izmir, Turkey, the most successful games ever for an Irish team surpassing Sheffield 1991 when Ireland won four medals, including a gold and silver by legendary athlete Sonia O’Sullivan. These five medals represent a crucial step in the developing careers of these young athletes, a key milestone on the way to further International competition, and a critical boost to Irish athletics in general.

Elsewhere on the last day of competition the women’s 4 x 400m relay team finished seventh in tonight’s track final. Vinny Mulvey placed 21st in the half marathon in a time of 67min46sec with Jill Shannon pleased to take 11th in the women’s event recording a time of 1hr20min26sec. Ciara Peelo, Ireland’s only sailor at these games, finished 10th overall in the fleet of the Laser Radial class. Noel King’s highly rated women’s soccer were defeated by Canada to leave them 6th overall.

Issued on behalf of CUSAI (Colleges and University Sports Association of Ireland)
For Further Information:
Sinéad McElroy, Irish Sports Council - Irish Team Press Officer in Izmir
087-6338512 or smcelroy@irishsportscouncil.ie