Minister McConalogue mourns death of Olympian Ciara Mageean

Minister of State for Sport Charlie McConalogue has paid tribute to the late Ciara Mageean, who died earlier today after a battle with bowel cancer.

Mageean, a former Olympian and 1500 m European Champion, was diagnosed with the disease in the summer of 2025, a year after winning her European gold medal. Her death has prompted widespread sadness across Ireland and beyond.

McConalogue said Mageean “exemplified all that is good about sport and community in Ireland” and highlighted her honesty on the track and her openness about her illness, which endeared her to people throughout the island.

The minister added that despite her international success, Mageean remained closely connected to her hometown of Portaferry and served as a role model for the next generation of Irish athletics.

He extended his thoughts to her husband Thomas, her family, friends and all who knew her through sport, concluding with the Irish blessing “Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.”

Source: Donegal Daily. Photo: Jubair Bin Iqbal / Pexels.