It was gold for Ireland at the European Championships as the 4×400 mixed relay team won the final.

Christopher O’Donnell, Rhasidat Adeleke, Thomas Barr and Sharlene Mawdsley ran a time of 3:09.92.

They finished ahead of Italy and the Netherlands in a thrilling finish.

O’Donnell led the team off on the first leg as Belgium took an early lead. Adeleke then took over, before Barr gave it to Mawdsley with Ireland in second, as she guided Ireland to victory.

Ireland came into the championships in form after the World Relays, where they finished in another national record of 3:11.53.

Ireland broke the national record with a time of 3:09:92, O’Donnell running 46.09, Adeleke 49.53, Barr 44.90 and Mawdsley 49.40.

Elsewhere, Israel Olatunde ran a season’s best to come third in his 100 metres heat in the Italian capital.

He’ll run again in his semi-final on Saturday,

Earlier on Friday, Ciara Mageean and Sarah Healy booked their places in the final of the 1500 metres.

That takes place on Sunday.