Sarah Lavin books place in final as Sharlene Mawdsley forced to withdraw from European Indoor Championships

Mawdsley had been expected to challenge for a place in the 400m final after turning in a magnificent leg in Thursday night’s mixed 4x400m final.

FINAL COUNTDOWN: Ireland’s Sarah Lavin make it through to the final. Pic:©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

It wasn’t perfect, but for Sarah Lavin it was enough – the Limerick athlete producing another crisp display to book her place in tonight’s 60m hurdles final at the European Indoor Championships in the Netherlands, finishing second in her semi-final in 7.94 seconds.

Lavin was the last of the Irish in action during the morning session today and the Emerald AC athlete got off to a strong start, going shoulder to shoulder over the opening barriers with Polish star Pia Skrzyszowska, who took victory in 7.84. Lavin came home second in 7.94, close to her best of 7.90, to advance to a fourth straight major indoor final.