Sarah Lavin smashes Irish record to finish fifth in world semi-final

The 29-year-old clocked 12.62, going well below Derval O’Rourke’s national record of 12.65.

NEW IRISH RECORD: Sarah Lavin competes in the women's 100m hurdles during day five of the World Athletics Championships at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest, Hungary. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

It was the performance of her life, right when she needed it most, and with that Sarah Lavin has become the fastest Irish female hurdler in history.

The 29-year-old finished fifth in the 100m hurdles semi-final at the World Championships in Budapest tonight, clocking 12.62, going well below Derval O’Rourke’s national record of 12.65, which had long been one of her biggest targets.