National U18 record sees Erin Friel and Ireland fourth in EYOF medley relay final

Erin Friel and the Ireland girls medley relay team clocked a new national U18 record to finish fourth at the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF).

Letterkenny AC’s Friel made up some ground after it looked like Ireland might be out of the challenge, but the task was too steep and the girls in green placed fourth.

At the Toše Proeski Arena in Skopje earlier in the week, Friel won the 400m bronze and she lined up with the Irish quartet in the final on Saturday morning.

The Irish team finished in 2:07.06, taking over two seconds from their previous best which had been set the previous day.

In Friday’s heat, they lowered the Irish U18 record to 2:09.20 to win the heat and book a slot in the final.

Friel was joined by Destiny Lawal, Molly Daly and Ellis McHugh.

Italy took gold in 2:04.57, ahead of Switzerland in 2:05.93 with Poland grabbing bronze in 2:06.30. 

Friel helped Ireland nip ahead of France for fourth with the French crossing the line in 2:07.30.

On Tuesday morning, Letterkenny AC’s Friel, who is coached by Kathryn McDevitt, won 400m bronze when finishing in a new personal best, 54.02 seconds.

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The Loreto Secondary School student and Newtowncunningham native said:  “It feels amazing. To come away with a medal now, that just gives me so much hope for the future. This is what I want to do and this is where I want to be.”

Finn Valley AC’s Dermot McGranaghan was also in Macedonia as coach to the Irish athletics team at the EYOF.