She was just half a minute away from medalling at last year's Olympics in Beijing, finishing seventh overall and inside the previous Olympic record time.

Winning June's Dublin Grand Prix of Race Walking was another significant boost as she beat Olympic bronze medallist Elisa Riguado, and a recent altitude training camp in Poland had her primed for a big effort in Berlin.

With a combination of form, determination, talent and tactical nous, Loughnane duly delivered on her promise in the German capital, coming through the Brandenburg Gate in a season's best time - only 49 seconds behind Olympic and double World champion Olga Kaniskina of Russia.

Speaking afterwards, Loughnane said: "I came here to win a medal and that's what I did. It will take time for it to sink in though.

"I know the first one is always the hardest so I'm delighted. It's one of the best days of my life.

"I wanted to push into the top group for this event and I hope this medal is the first of many."

The 33-year-old mother of one has already stated that she wants to be competitive in the London Olympics in three years' time, and barring injury next year's European Championships in Barcelona should offer her another chance for a podium finish.

Yesterday's walk was not all plain sailing, however, as Loughnane picked up a warning for lifting as she tried to pull away from China's Hong Liu, who battled her way to bronze.

"You still never know, you still need luck on the day and I'd no warnings - nothing on the board until about 16km and that just gave me more scope," she admitted.

"It just meant I could keep pushing harder and harder and I was able to do that so, yeah, it's all paid off."

Loughnane paid tribute to her support network after the race, from her family and friends to her coaches, physios, training partners, Athletics Ireland and the Sports Council of Ireland.

She has started working with experienced Spanish-based coach Montse Paulenca, focusing on improving her technique and that clearly paid dividends on the streets of Berlin.

"There's such a wonderful group of people with me, you know, I work hard but it wouldn't be possible without the emotional support and then all the practical help I get from everybody.

"It just wouldn't be possible without them. I'm just part of a team really. I get a lot of support from my family back in Ireland, as well as good physios, good doctors and psychological training."

Loughnane also reserved a special mention for her young daughter Eimear, whom she took a year out to have in 2006.

"I have a beautiful daughter and she's my inspiration. I'm committed to my training but she makes me see that when it's over, it's over and I can spend time with my family."