Ciara Mageean dies at 34

sportsNov 1, 202624338

Former European 1500m champion and two-time Olympian Ciara Mageean has died at the age of 34, her family announced, saying she lost her battle with cancer at 6.30am surrounded by loved ones. Mageean, from Portaferry in Northern Ireland, was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in May 2025. She won the 1500m European title in Rome in 2024, took silver for Northern Ireland over 1500m at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and represented Ireland at the 2016 and 2020 Olympics, withdrawing from the 2024 Paris Games because of an Achilles injury. Athletics Ireland said, "We are heartbroken. An inspiration to so many, Ciara will be remembered for her courage, kindness and incredible spirit." Mageean married her long-term partner Thomas Moran in a small civil ceremony in Belfast in October. Her career highlights also included 1500m silvers at the 2010 World Junior Championships and 2011 European Junior Championships, a 2020 Diamond League 1000m in Monaco in 2:31.06, a 3:56.63 1500m victory at Diamond League Brussels in 2022 that broke the Irish record, a fourth place at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, and being named BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year in 2023.

RTÉ News

@news.rte.ie

Irish Olympian and European champion runner Ciara Mageean has died aged 34.

992h ago

cjmccartan.bsky.social7

Star of the County Down x

Mr Kindness4

Godspeed Ciara - a most beautiful dignified young woman in all her battles, track and health My heart goes out in the fullest with great sadness to her family, friends and her loving husband Tommy We lost treasure today rest in peace May the track open for you above and glory awaits you 🇮🇪

Cathal Reilly3

In individual sports like athletics, high achievers often seem so driven they forget the world they sprang from, and pay no attention to the world around them. Ciara seemed the opposite; the highest achiever, yet always proud of her background, her Irishness, and utterly grounded and aware of 1/x

Niamh NicGhabhann Coleman3

Heartbreaking - what a tragic loss. RIP

Kieran2

Omg such shocking news, so young. RIP

Donal1

That's shocking sad. I just finished reading her book yesterday. RIP Ciara.

Quoting this

John Creedon31

Ciara told us all it was coming, but Ireland is reeling at the speed and finality of her departure.. and heartbroken at her loss. Our champ and 'wee dote' has left the arena. Thinking especially of her husband, family and friends. #Ciara

__________20

This is absolutely woeful news. Vale Ciara, I am deeply sorry to hear this.

Oisín McGann17

An utter tragedy. An elite athlete and an inspiration to so many, taken in her prime. Rest in peace, Ciara. #SpeirGorm

Philip O'Connor16

Such sad news, may she rest in peace.

Bionic Laura15

Such desperately sad news, rest in peace Ciara.

Rudy Hellzapoppin'15

Had occasion to briefly interact with her some years ago and she was very sound. Terribly sad news.

Roderic O’Gorman TD9

Desperately sad. Rest in Peace.

Gary Rocks7

A true star of the County Down..such sad, sad news. Rest in Peace Ciara

Loki6

Life is so cruel. Wish her family and friends all the power goin forward. Ar déis Dé go raibh a hanam.

Linda Butler5

God this is just awful.

Tony - Pod Guy - Groves

@tonygroves.bsky.social

Heartbreaking to hear about the passing of Ciara Mageean. We knew it was coming, and yet thought it was impossible. Deepest condolences to all who knew and loved her, especially her husband Tommy and their doggo Sam. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam www.rte.ie/sport/athlet...

561h ago

John Gibbons 🇵🇸 🇺🇦 🇪🇺

@thinkorswim.bsky.social

A wonderful athlete, and a wonderful human being. Ciara Mageean R.I.P.

262h ago

Gavan Reilly

@gavreilly.com

It was striking how unlucky Ciara Mageean was in her career - how her obvious talent always seemed to be blighted by an injury at the worst times - and yet how consistently upbeat, sunny, positive she was. She radiated good vibes, always, no matter how shite the hand she’d been dealt. An awful loss.

23Just now

Edna Dowling

@libertiesbelle.bsky.social

#SpéirGorm Ciara brought us so much joy and filled us with pride. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis. www.rte.ie/sport/athlet...

122h ago

Jane Hill

@janehill.bsky.social

This is such desperately sad news about Ciara Mageean share.google/tsdDrG1ivMOS...

122h ago

Harry McKillen

@harrymckillen.com

That is tragic, her interview on the Indo Sport podcast a few months ago was amazing. She was a fantastic, funny and smart woman and the sporting world as well as her family and friends have lost this person far too soon. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam jrnl.ie/7211549

112h ago

Irish Women's Rugby Supporters Club

@irishwomens.bsky.social

Such sad news about Ciara Mageean. A wonderful athlete, she was so brave with her diagnosis and spoke so well about what her remaining time would entail. Her mental strength was astonishing.

142h ago

__________

@jenbren.bsky.social

She only got married 3 weeks ago too. Beautiful pictures. Jesus, desperately shit things really need to stop happening to lovely people. Ciara Mageean: Olympian gets married amid cancer diagnosis - BBC News share.google/MedmQiJpZinp...

102h ago

Alan1

My ex-girlfriend married her husband in his hospital room after he was bitten by an insect and got a horrible blood borne disease. He passed about two days later. Horrible crap I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Cancer is a bugger too and can do one!

Larky McRory 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇪🇺1

What a terrible loss, she was an excellent athlete. That is absolutely sickening.

Lou1

Oh this is such desperately sad news. How dreadful.

Anne-Marie

@amflynn.bsky.social

Ciara Mageean is gone and so is one of my dearest friends after a short illness. I'll miss her friendship and the craic we had so much, but her advocacy is a far greater loss to the world 💔 I'm so glad she got to see this day.

91h ago

Over There

@coreilly.bsky.social

Olympic athlete Ciara Mageean dies aged 34 😭 #athletics #speirgorm jrnl.ie/7211549

92h ago

Quoting this

Niamh NicGhabhann Coleman16

Heartbreaking. What a light to be extinguished so young. Deepest condolences to her husband, family and friends 💔

Kate Bielinski3

This is sad news. Rest in peace.

Green Party / Comhaontas Glas

@greenparty.ie

Rest in peace Ciara, and thank you for the joy you gave us all www.rte.ie/sport/athlet...

91h ago

Micheál Martin

@micheal-martin.bsky.social

Deeply saddened at the untimely passing of Ciara Mageean. My heartfelt sympathies go to her husband Thomas, all her family and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.

Deeply saddened at the untimely passing of Ciara Mageean.

As a European champion and an Olympian, she inspired so many with her outstanding performances and brought immense pride to Ireland. Ciara has left a remarkable sporting legacy.

Ciara faced her recent health battles with great courage and dignity.

My heartfelt sympathies go to her husband Thomas, all her family and friends.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.

72h ago

DIAMONDS NEWSAGENTS BALLYMENA

@diamondsnews.bsky.social

Such sad news Ciara Mageean has sadly passed away aged 34. May she rest in peace 🙏

42h ago

Marc Scully

@marcscully.bsky.social

Worth remembering that the very last thing we saw Ciara Mageean do on an Irish athletics track was to offer some words of encouragement to a young girl who had fallen at the start of a race. www.rte.ie/video/id/354...

52h ago

3 sources

rte.ieIrish Olympian and European champion Ciara Mageean dies bbc.co.ukIrish Olympic runner Ciara Mageean dies aged 34 news.sky.comCiara Mageean: Former European 1,500m champion dies at age of 34

Ciara Mageean dies at 34sports Golden State Valkyries win 2026 WNBA title in Game 7sports USC stuns No. 2 Ohio State, 30-18, derailing Buckeyes' CFP hopessports Yamaha withdraws from Qatar Grand Prixsports

Ciara Mageean dies at 34

Related