Top award for Ciara

Top award for Ciara

4 December 2019

PORTAFERRY’S Ciara Mageean was named Athlete of the Year at the Irish Life Health National Athletics Awards in Dublin last week. 

The 27 year-old enjoyed an excellent year, which included a 10th-place finish in the 1500m final at the World Championships.

She received the accolade from Ireland’s former world champion, Sonia O’Sullivan, who said she believed Ciara could replicate her achievements.

“Ciara had a great year and she’s edging the bar up for herself every year, doing this gradual progression to get where she wants to be. 

Ciara, who was also named Track and Field Athlete of the Year, said being compared to the legendary O’Sullivan was an honour.

“It’s an honour to be compared to such an athlete,” she said.

“I realise whenever people coin that phrase they mean it in terms of endearment towards Sonia, and then that turns to me, and it’s such a huge privilege, because I was getting emotional up there just talking about Sonia,” she confessed.