Ireland Relay Squads Named For World Relays In Botswana This May

Athletics Ireland have confirmed the relay teams set to travel to the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, with competition taking place on Saturday May 2nd and Sunday May 3rd.

Ireland will be represented in the women’s 4x400m, mixed 4x400m, and women’s 4x100m events, with a blend of established internationals and emerging athletes named across the squads.

There is plenty on the line over the two days of racing. The top twelve teams in each event will secure qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing, making this a key stop in the championship cycle.

The mixed 4x400m carries an added incentive, with the top six teams progressing to the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest later this year.

Below are the respective squads:

Women’s 4x400m Squad

Sharlene Mawdsley (Newport AC) headlines the selection, returning to the Irish vest for the first time since last year’s World Championships.

She is joined by Sophie Becker (Raheny Shamrock AC) and Rachel McCann (North Down AC), both of whom are named across the 4x400m squads.

Squad:

Sharlene Mawdsley (Newport AC)
Sophie Becker (Raheny Shamrock AC)
Rachel McCann (North Down AC)
Molly Daly (Kilkenny City Harriers) (senior debut)
Arlene Crossan (Finn Valley AC)
Erin Friel (Letterkenny AC) (senior debut)
Jenna Breen (City of Lisburn AC)
Kate Doherty (Dundrum South Dublin AC) (non-travelling reserve)

Two new names come into the fold, with Molly Daly (Kilkenny City Harriers) and Erin Friel (Letterkenny AC) both earning their first senior call-ups. Daly arrives off the back of a 53.74 indoor run in just her third race over the distance, while Friel, a European Youth Olympic medallist, has recently posted a personal best of 54.20.

Mixed 4x400m Squad

Ireland’s mixed relay squad combines experience and emerging talent, with Jack Raftery (Donore Harriers) returning after featuring prominently at last year’s World Relays.

Squad:

Sharlene Mawdsley (Newport AC)
Sophie Becker (Raheny Shamrock AC)
Rachel McCann (North Down AC)
Molly Daly (Kilkenny City Harriers)
Arlene Crossan (Finn Valley AC)
Erin Friel (Letterkenny AC)
Jenna Breen (City of Lisburn AC)
Jack Raftery (Donore Harriers)
Sean Doggett (Athenry AC)
Fintan Dewhirst (Tír Chonaill AC)
Chris O’Donnell (North Sligo AC) (non-travelling reserve)

Doggett (Athenry AC) and Dewhirst (Tír Chonaill AC) both arrive in strong form, having finished first and second respectively at the National Indoor Championships in March.

Women’s 4x100m Squad Returns

The women’s 4x100m team returns to the World Relays for the first time since 2021, marking a renewed push in the sprint relay.

Squad:

Sharlene Mawdsley (Newport AC)
Ciara Neville (Emerald AC)
Precious Akpe-Moses (Blackrock AC) (could make senior debut)
Molly Scott (St. Laurence O’Toole AC)
Mollie O’Reilly (Dundrum South Dublin AC)
Sarah Leahy (Killarney Valley AC)
Sarah Lavin (Emerald AC)
Katie Bergin (Moyne AC) (non-travelling reserve)

Sarah Lavin (Emerald AC) and Molly Scott (St. Laurence O’Toole AC) both featured the last time Ireland competed in this event, while Ciara Neville (Emerald AC) returns to international action following her recent appearance at the World Indoor Championships.

A Squad With Balance

This selection reflects a clear approach from Athletics Ireland. There is enough experience to target qualification across multiple events, but also a willingness to bring new athletes into the senior setup.

Gaborone will provide a proper test across two days of racing, with qualification places, progression, and new opportunities all on the line for the Irish squads.