Another accolade for the pride of Portaferry

Another accolade for the pride of Portaferry

8 January 2025

CIARA Mageean was among the stars honoured at the Irish Times Sport Ireland Sportswoman Awards, which took place recently in the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin.

This was the 20th year of the awards and the Portaferry athlete was one of 14 sportswomen to be honoured for their achievements during 2024

Ciara received the Sportswoman of the Month Award for June following her stunning triumph in the 1500m final at the European Championships in Rome.

Mageean, who had previously won bronze at the Europeans in Amsterdam in 2016 and silver in Munich in 2022, went to the Stadio Olimpico as a real medal contender.

After running three and a half laps on the shoulders of British pair Georgia Hall and Gemma Reekie, she waited until the top of the final bend before grabbing a gap between them and striking for home.

When she crossed the line, she flung her arms in the air in celebration, all previous disappointments and injuries being swept away.

In an emotional interview after the race, Mageean also offered up one of the quotes of the year.

“When I was getting a bit boxed in, I thought, oh my God, I have all the legs left but nowhere to go. But I didn’t grow up playing camogie to get boxed in.”

While devastated to have to pull out of the Olympic Games due to the achilles injury she has been carrying for most of the past decade, that unforgettable night in Rome will always belong to Mageean.

The Sports Editor of The Irish Times Noel O’Reilly paid tribute to all the 2024 winners.

“Twenty years ago, when the Sportswoman of the Year awards were launched, we could scarcely have imagined how high the bar would be raised. Each year soaring new standards continue to be set by Irish sportswomen, inspiring and challenging those who will come after them.”

“It’s been a thrill and a pleasure for us to report on their feats. A scroll through our list of overall winners is a reminder of just how many magical days they have given us, and a memorable 2024 has proved to be an exceptional year on so many fronts.  A huge congratulations to all the monthly winners, sportswomen whose stories continue to show the next generation that nothing is impossible. Here’s to another 20 years of excellence, and many more magical moments.”

Sport Ireland CEO, Dr Úna May said 2024 had been a year of fantastic accomplishment for Irish sportswomen.

“Our female athletes continue to demonstrate that with dedication, ambition, and determination, the extraordinary is possible.