Disqualification sees Ireland claim relay bronze

The disqualification of the United States 4x400m men’s relay team from this evening’s World Championship final has seen Ireland claim a much coveted bronze, the country’s first ever relay medal at any level.

It is the ninth ever medal for Irish athletics at World Indoor level, and their second in as many years following Paul McKee’s bronze in the 400 individual in 2003.

Ireland, led again by AAA champion Rob Daly, closed in on Russia in the final 200 with 20-year-old David McCarthy running a split close to his morning 46.19secs to take third (3:10.44), behind Russia in silver and winners Jamaica, who hit 3:05.21, a world leading time for 2004.

The Americans lost out on the final changeover as last man Godfrey Herring dropped the baton with Joe Mendel.

They were gunning for a sixth title.

It is an unheralded success for team coach Paddy Fay of the Raheny Shamrocks, who specialises in sprint coaching and along with Limerick-based couple Drew and Hayley Harrison, who coach McCarthy and second leg man Gary Ryan, 31.

Their time was well below the national record of 3:08.83, which they ran in the morning semi-final.

Earlier Dundrum South Dublin’s Maria McCambridge finished a credible ninth in the 3000m final, in a time of 9:14.72.

MEN'S 4x400m FINAL

1 Jamaica 3.05.21

2 Russia 3.06.23

3 Ireland 3.10.44 (R Daly, G Ryan, D Gillick, D McCarthy)

4 Switzerland 3.12.44

5 Bahamas 3.17.57

6 US D/Q

WOMEN’S 3000M FINAL

1 M Defar (Ethiopia) 9:11.22

2 B Adere (Ethiopia) 9:11.43

3 S Culpepper (USA) 9:12.25

9 M McCambridge (Ireland) 9:14.72