Tipperary Olympic star hoping for extra special birthday present in tonight's 4x400m relay final

Tipperary’s Olympic star Sharlene Mawdsley will be hoping to make it a birthday to remember when she anchors Ireland’s relay team in the 4x400m final at the Stade de France tonight. 

Team Ireland’s women’s 4x400m team will make more sporting history tonight when they contest their first-ever Olympic final.

Newport native Mawdsley, Sophie Becker, Phil Healy and Kelly McGrory caused a sensation by finishing third in their semi-final behind Jamacia and Netherlands, earning an automatic qualifying spot to tonight’s historic decider.

The squad will be further strengthened for the final by the addition of Rhasidat Adeleke. She was deeply disappointed to just miss out an individual medal but confirmed immediately after that she will give her all again in the 4x400m.

Sharlene will be hoping for a birthday present to remember in the form of an Olympic gold medal to add to the Newport native’s growing collection of accolades. 

The Newport AC star, who turns 26 today, produced her now familiar last leg (49.65) once again to ensure the team secured qualification, and a place in history as the first Irish women’s relay team to ever make an Olympic final.

The final takes place at the Stade de France on what is the final night of action at the stadium. The women’s 4x400m relay final should get underway shortly after 8pm this evening, with the official scheduled time 8.14pm.