High drama as Ireland claim historic relay bronze

FROM the crumbs of a rather bare table came medals of joy for the Irish at the concluding session of the IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships in Budapest yesterday when the 4x400 metres relay team took bronze after a drama which would have been difficult to script.

Having finished fourth in the rough house final, the Irish quartet of Robert Daly, Gary Ryan, David Gillick and David McCarthy were promoted to third when the Americans were disqualified for an illegal change-over.

Jamaica raced to the gold medals ahead of Russia to win in 3:05.21. Then came the Americans in 3:06.23 with Ireland crossing the line fourth in 3:10.44, some two seconds short of the national record of 3:08.83 they had set earlier in the day to reach the final in the first place.