‘There’s been championships where I’ve walked off crying’ Mageean looks back on near-misses in wake of European gold

Ciara Mageean reflected on the many near misses in her career after finally claiming her first gold medal at the European Athletics Championships in the 1500m on Sunday night.

At Rome’s Olympic Stadium, Mageean ran a perfect race and, despite fear of being boxed in, broke free with 90 metres remaining. She crossed the line victorious almost a full second clear of her nearest competitor.

Speaking to Athletics Ireland after the race, Mageean said that she couldn’t believe she had managed to take the win.

“There’s fantastic athletes out there,” she said.

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“So, to be able to come through to win that gold. To bring a gold medal home to Ireland.

“I cannot wait to stand on top of the podium and hear Amhrán na bhFiann ringing round. It’s everything I do this for and words don’t come close.

“It’s a long time coming.”

Mageean reflected on the many close calls and disappointments that she has experienced in the past, at all levels of running, which have led to her winning this first major title aged 32.

The Portaferry woman has previously won silver (2022) and bronze (2016) at the European Championships and silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games over 1500m.

“There’s been championships where I’ve walked off crying, feeing bitterly disappointed, and just had to pick myself up,” she said.

“Those days make these days all the more sweet.

“I did a wee lap of honour around the finish there and I saw a couple of the stalwarts of Irish athletics - I chatted to Georgina Drumm and some of the others.

“I’ve seen them being there since I was a youth and they’ve seen my whole transition through the sport. They’ve seen the highs and the lows.

“For anyone who is experiencing those lows: Keep your head up, because the good times will come.”

Mageean told Athletics Ireland that her win would not have been possible without the support of the Irish fans cheering in the crowd.

“I cannot thank the Irish support enough,” she said.

“No matter where we go in the world, you’ll see a tricolour in the stand

“Even whenever the stadium looked pretty empty, in the early part of this championship, there were Irish out there.

“I can’t thank them enough, on behalf of our entire team, for travelling the world to give us support while we’re chasing our dreams.”

“They’re an absolute bunch of legends. The greatest fans in the world of sport.”