Ciara Mageean is the only realistic Irish medal hope in Belgrade

Ireland has one realistic medal chance as 567 athletes from 49 countries line up for the 34th European Indoor Championships, which start tomorrow in Belgrade.

In a 10-strong Irish team, chief hope rests on the shoulders of Ciara Mageean (UCD) in the women’s 1500m, though a podium place will be a tough ask for the Portaferry native.

Scotland’s Laura Muir, competing for Great Britain, is the best female distance runner in the world on current form and will be overwhelming favourite for the 1500m and 3,000m.