Ciara Mageean (27), from Portaferry, Co Down, studied physiotherapy at University College Dublin but is now a professional athlete, specialising in the ‘metric mile’. She played camogie for the Down minors before specialising in track, first winning silver (800m) at World Youths in 2009 and silver (1500m) at World Juniors in 2010. She won 1500m bronze at European Seniors in 2016 and repeated that at European Indoors in 2019. Last summer she finished 10th in the 1500m final at the World Championships in a lifetime best of 4:00.15, the second fastest time by an Irish woman after Sonia O’Sullivan’s senior record of 3:58:85.
