Irish Olympic runner Ciara Mageean dies aged 34

The Irish sporting community is mourning the death of Olympic middle‑distance runner Ciara Mageean, who died at 6.30 am on Sunday after a battle with cancer.

Mageean, 34, posted a statement on her social media confirming she passed away surrounded by loved ones. The post described her as a beloved daughter, sister, wife, friend and inspiration.

She represented Ireland at the 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo Olympics and was forced to withdraw from the 2024 Paris Games because of an Achilles injury. Earlier in 2024 she secured her first major title, winning the 1500 m gold at the European Championships in Rome.

Friends and fellow athletes expressed their condolences on Instagram, including Olympian Sharlene Mawdsley, Cork runner Phil Healy and former teammate Tom Barr, all describing Mageean as an inspiration and a “brightest soul”.

In October 2024 Mageean married training partner Thomas Moran at Darver Castle, Co Louth, shortly after confirming a diagnosis of stage‑four bowel cancer in May 2025. She had spoken openly about her illness on the BBC’s GAA Social podcast in July, saying she would not let the disease stop her wedding plans.

Mageean’s career began with a 1500 m silver at the World Junior Championships 16 years ago, followed by a European bronze in 2016, an indoor bronze in 2019 and a national record at the 2020 Diamond League in Monaco. She finished fourth at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: 翊誠 洪 / Pexels.