ARLENE Crossan played a vital role as the Ireland women’s 4×400 metres team impressed in Botswana and sealed their spot at the 2027 World Athletics Championships.
Ireland knew they had to finish in the top two of their repechage heat and they delivered by winning it in a time of 3:23.83.
Finn Valley AC’s Crossan ran the third leg and was joined in the team by Rachel McCann, Sophie Becker and Sharlene Mawdsley.
Crossan was excellent and ran a fine split of 51.30 seconds at the World Relay Championships.
It was particularly impressive considering she was in action the previous day as well.
However, the team was bolstered on Sunday when Becker and Mawdsley joined the ranks and Ireland have sealed their spot in China next year.
Meanwhile Letterkenny AC’s Erin Friel made her senior international debut on Sunday.
Friel was included in the mixed 4×400 metres relay team along with Jack Raftery, Jenna Breen and Sean Doggett.
They finished seventh in a time of 3:19.34 with 18-year-old Friel going in the anchor leg and clocking a 53.33 second split.
Tir Conaill AC’s Fintan Dewhirst was also part of the Ireland team in Botswana but wasn’t selected while Teresa McDaid (Letterkenny AC) is senior operations manager.