TEAM Ireland were unable to get their hands on medals on the opening day of the European Indoor Athletics Championships.
The quartet of Sharlene Mawdsley, Marcus Lawler, Phil Healy, and Conor Kelly had to settle for fifth place in the mixed 4x400m relay.
After a spirited opening leg from 17-year-old Kelly, Ireland fell behind the leading pack as the baton was passed to Mawdsley for the anchor leg.
And while she was able to close the gap enough to finish within five-tenths of a second of fourth place, she never looked like mounting a challenge for the podium.
Elsewhere, it was a great day for Sarah Lavin, who produced a sensational performance to qualify for the 60m hurdle semi-finals.
The Limerick athlete ran a season’s best 7:93 to win her heat ahead of much fancied French runner Laeticia Bapte.
More to follow…
