RTE viewers blown away by Sharlene Mawdsley's 'scorching ...
SHARLENE MAWDSLEY saved the day down the home straight to secure Ireland's spot in the women's 4x400m final.
The Tipperary speedster took over the baton in a fairly distant fourth place in Thursday morning's semi-final.
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But she was able to eat up the ground and overtake the competitor in third before almost pipping the Dutch runner to second place at the line.
The Irish quartet of Mawsdley, Sophie Becker, Phil Healy and Kelly McGrory came home in a time of 3:25.05 with Mawsdley recording the quickest split at 49.65.
That was good enough to clinch a spot in Saturday evening's showpiece which will take place at 8:14 pm Irish time.
To put Mawsdley's rapid time into perspective, she was one of only two runners across both semi-finals to go sub-50 seconds.
RTE viewers were quick to heap praise on the 25-year-old in particular who has developed into a wonderful final leg finisher.
Thomas Conway said of her display: "That was a scorching performance by our four, particularly Sharlene on that final leg.
"Inject Rhasidat into that team and surely a medal is within reach!"
Similarly Luc beamed: "Sharlene Mawdsley is actually insane, every single time I think she's too far back to catch the leaders and every single time she does."
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Pádraig Bolton praised all four of them for running their hearts out.
He tweeted: "Oh you AMAZING women.
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"Ireland’s 4x400 superstars earn a place in tomorrow’s final: with Phil holding off Klaver, unreal gutsy stuff from Sophie and Kelly, and Sharlene absolutely on fire with a 49.65 anchor."
Finally, Donna said of the European silver medallists: "They were just super all four of them.
"Cannot wait for the final now what a credit they are to themselves and the country absolutely lifting the nation."
