Ciara running of RTÉ award

Ciara running of RTÉ award

11 December 2024

CHRISTMAS has come early for Portaferry athlete Ciara Mageean.

The running sensation has been nominated for the prestigious RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year award.

The nomination comes in the same week it was announced that Ciara is to receive a honorary doctorate from Ulster University.

The 32 year-old middle-distance runner won gold for Ireland in the 1500m at the European Championships in Rome in June, having won silver in 2022 and 2023, and bronze in 2016.

It was the first major championship victory of her career and set her up for the chance of further glory at the Paris Olympics a few weeks later.

Unfortunately, she was to suffer heartbreak when she suffered an achilles on the eve of the Games and had to withdraw.

Her plight touched the hearts of Irish sports fans and she will join other 11 stars vying to be RTE Sports Personailty of the Year.

The glitzy ceremony will be broadcast live on RTE on Sunday night.

The star-studded line-up also includes Olympic gold medalists Daniel Wiffen, Katie-George Dunlevy, Kellie Harrington, Paul O’Donovan and Newtownards gymnast Rhys McClenaghan.

Paralympic gold medalist Róisín Ní Ríain is also in the line-up along with world lightweight boxing champion Katie Taylor, Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National-winning jockey Paul Townend, super-featherweight title holder Anthony Cacace, Clare hurler Shane O’Donnell and sprinter Rhasidat Adeleke.

Mageean is undoubtedly in great company and faces stiff competition for the award, but even if she is not selected as the winner, she will look forward to donning Ulster University’s gown and mortarboard.

The university has announced 

that Ciara one of two Irish sports stars to be named as ‘Inspirational Leaders’ .

She has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to sport and has highlighted just how much it means to her.

Among the other people to be recognised is Cavan golfer Leona Maguire, who was part of the European Solheim Cup-winning teams.

“It is an immense honour to receive this honorary doctorate from Ulster University,” Ciara said.

“As an athlete, I’ve always believed in pushing the limits of what’s possible, but this recognition is not only about personal achievement - it’s also about the support of those who help you along the way.”

She added: “I am proud to represent my country each time I compete on the track and I thank all of those who have supported me this year and right throughout my career.”

Ulster University vice-chancellor Paul Bartholomew said: “We are looking forward to honouring individuals who have made outstanding contributions to their respective fields.”

“These individuals demonstrate great talent, creativity and integrity, and we hope they will be an inspiration to the whole Ulster University community.”

To find out if Ciara becomes the RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year, tune in to RTÉ One this Sunday at 9.30pm.

Ciara will receive her honorary doctorate at Ulster University’s winter graduations, which will be held from December 13-19.