Irish athletics on the rise

What’s success at the World Championships for Ireland?

We haven’t had a medal on the track since Cobh’s finest did it all the way back in 1995. I think I was watching on a small tv in West Cork.

But it seemed fairly routine for Ireland to have a possible medallist back then, that was the Sonia effect. She made what was very unusual seem ordinary, almost prosaic.

But it certainly was not. Our record since then would tell you that.

Of course Rob Heffernan and Olive Loughnane have won gold and silver at the Worlds in racewalking events in 2013 and 2009.

This year Ciara Mageean had a chance on Tuesday night in the Women's 1,500m final. She has had a great season and seems to be running close to her potential, which is an incredible achievement regardless of results.

The European silver medallist was ranked only ninth ahead of the final.

In the end, it was agonising. She ran a superb race, never out of the top 4 or 5 and kicked away with the best but she finished in 4th in the end.

The race was won by a runner described by some as the best ever women’s 1,500m runner. It was a third world title for Kenyan Faith Kipyegon in a time of 3:54.87.

Mageean also managed to beat her own national record. Aterwards, she was wonderfully positive. “To be disappointed with 4th is probably a good thing. I came in with the aim of a medal because it’s the best I’ve ever felt coming into a championships. To come away with 4th is bittersweet but I’ve had the season of my life.

“Many years ago I wouldn’t have dreamt of 4th at a global senior final and I’m standing here disappointed with 4th and a national record so I know I can do it. It’s another year to the Olympics, and I’m putting myself in with a fighting chance with the best 1,500m athletes in the world.”

Ireland has never had many athletes capable of being among the best in the world but we have one now.

Young Dubliner Rhasidat Adeleke is 20 and has been burning up the track in the US college scene.

She secured an automatic qualifying spot into the final of the women's 400m on Monday by taking second place in 49.87 behind the Dominican Olympic silver medalist Marileidy Paulino. She is the first Irish sprinter in a world final for 14 years.

Her final was on last night after we went to print, so as I write this I still have hope that Ireland will win another athletics world championships medal. Come on Rhasidat!

Whatever happened last night, there’s lots more to come from a 20 year old who is already a star.