Ciara breaks record

Ciara breaks record

7 September 2022

PORTAFERRY superstar Ciara Mageean made history on Friday after winning the 1500m race at the Diamond League meeting in Brussels, breaking Sonia O’Sullivan’s 27 year-old Irish record in the process.

The 30 year-old is currently in the form of her life after capturing silver medals at both the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the European Championships in Munich this summer.

Her latest scalp includes beating track rival Laura Muir from Team GB, who won gold in those previous two events.

However, Ciara’s fantastic winning time in Belgium of 3:56.63 took over two seconds off O’Sullivan’s record and also saw the local inspiration record her first sub four minute time, setting a new personal best.

“A new Irish 1500m record and a Diamond League win, pinch me, am I dreaming?” said Ciara.

Despite her summer heroics, Ciara also revealed post-race that she was initially on the substitutes’ list ahead of the event and it was a task to make it to the starting line. 

“On Thursday, I wasn’t on the start list, I was called up fairly late to the race,” she said.

“I know that my agent Ricky Simms was working hard to get me on the line and was trying to convince the meet race director saying ‘you have to give her a chance, she’s in good shape’.

“He thought it would have been a definite after winning two major medals over the summer but because they were not super-fast times, I was put on the substitutes’ list, I was still on the bench, I wasn’t making the starting panel,” she continued.

“So I’m super glad that I got the call up and got that opportunity, as I did a blistering session in the week leading into it and I knew that I was in good shape.”

She added: “It’s not often that I say that, and when I finished my last rep of my previous session, I said to my team-mate ‘if I don’t get into a fast 1500, I’m going to cry’.”

Of course as things unfolded Ciara did toe the line, running a fantastic race which saw her chased down relentlessly by Muir.

However, holding her own until the very end, Ciara crossed the line first before collapsing to the floor to soak in the occasion.

Among the first to congratulate Ciara on her record-breaking run was previous holder O’Sullivan, in what was a classy touch from the former top athlete.

“I knew I had it in me to go under four and I thought I had it in me to get an Irish record,” said Ciara. 

“I’m on cloud nine. To be in the same realm as Sonia O’Sullivan, she’s a name everybody knows, not just in Ireland but globally, and to surpass her time is something I’ve always dreamed of. 

“That Irish record has been in my sights a long time. I am glad I finally put my name to it.”

Ciara will not have too long to reflect on her magnificent achievement as she once again prepares for what is set to be another fantastic Diamond League race tomorrow in Zurich.

“If I go into Zurich feeling the way I felt in Brussels, I’ll be up there, but it’s never easy as these girls are competing at this level week-in week-out, so hopefully I’ll be able to raise my game again and be up there and be competitive.”