Lecky adds to the feelgood factor as she adds to the medal of Ireland

The future of Irish athletics continues fast – Sommer Lecky adding his name to the young stars suddenly flourishing by winning another silver medal in the high jump at the World Championships less of 20 years in Tampere, Finland.

Athletics, it brings to six the number of medals won by Irish athletes in the junior and junior championships over the past ten days – three gold, three silver and all. Irish young women with the prospect of others to come.

Lecky, 17, from the Finn Valley club in Donegal, may have exceeded her own expectations and certainly her best precedent.

She twice improved the under-20 record in Ireland, crossing 1.87 meters and then a superb 1.90m in her first attempt, which finally allowed her to qualify for the European Senior Championships of the year. next month in Berlin. The women's sprint relay team also won silver medals on Saturday afternoon, doubling the number of medals won by Ireland in these championships for 32 years: Antoine Burke also won the Silver in the men's high jump in 1994, and Ciara Mageean won silver over 1500m in 2010 – these U-20 championships were not really a stepping stone to the senior stage, but rather as a foretaste.

"I knew I could jump so high," Lecky said.

"So if I knew it in my mind, but I'm delighted yes, and I know that I can jump higher than 1.90 But all my teammates have inspired me, like the last one, and I've definitely inspired by the relay girls.I did not even know that I had a medal, I was just jumping for myself, but I'm going to take the silver medal.Who knows where this will go, we'll see. "[19659002] Only Karyna Taranda of Belarus jumped higher, winning gold thanks to her 1.92m clearance on the second attempt, also a national under-20 record, after Lecky had missed three attempts. Maria Murillo of Colombia also broke a record of 1.90m, a South American Under-20 record, but on her second attempt, which allowed Lecky to hold the silver medal, his great pleasure.

Lecky had come to Tampere with a lot of good references, beating Olympic silver medalist Mirela Demireva of Belgium in an indoor competition in February – but still waiting for that. His trainer Niall Wilksonson also made the trip to Tampere to be close to Castlederg's athlete, the Lecky Silver Medal a huge boost at the Finn Valley club which has done great service to the Athletics in Donegal

Molly Scott, Gina Akpe-Moses, Ciara Neville and Patience Jumbo-Gula also broke the Irish junior record of 43.90 seconds on Saturday, losing only to the top ranked Germans, who won the medal of Gold in 43.82.

The Irish also ran with confidence, despite their own hopes of medals: "Yes, over the years we have our disappointments," said Scott, who ran two hours earlier in his semifinal. -final 100m hurdles, finishing eighth. It was a naturally tense and exciting race, the last change between Neville and Jumbo-Gula may not be as easy as they would like, but Dundalk's schoolgirl still has paid to win money, the British quartet setting for bronze in 44.05 better.

Rhasidat Adeleke was eliminated from the final with a tight hamstring, having completed the third stage when the Irish quartet won their semi-final on Friday night, but Neville was perfectly successful in reaching the mark after 11.54 seconds. week. the semifinals of the 100m.

All four were justifiably delighted with the performance, the national record of a nice bonus prize for their silver medals.

All four represent the future of Irish athletes in every way: Scott will run with the club St Laurence O 'Toole in Carlow, Apke-Moses now based in Birmingham but still with his club Dundalk Blackrock-Louth, Neville with Emerald Club in Limerick, and Jumbo-Gula representing St Gerard's Dundalk.

The championships are loaded in quality and quantity, but without guarantee either. Jamaica may have won the gold medal in the women's 100m, but failed to qualify for the final, as was the American relay, which was disqualified in the semifinal after to have lost the witness. Akpe-Moses also made the final of the 100m.

Lecky's money brings to six the number of medals won by Irish athletes in the junior and junior championships – adding to the three gold medals won under the age of 18 on weekends – last in Hungary with the double of Sarah Healy, the gold of Adeleke. 200m, and Sophie O 's money Sullivan at 800m. Rarely the future looked so bright.