Tragedy and injury hit Ciara Mageean like a train in 2021

Pictured is Irish Olympian and International Athlete, Ciara Mageean, following the launch of this year’s GOAL Mile, proudly partnered by AIB. In supporting GOAL and encouraging people across the island of Ireland to step up together and take part in the GOAL Mile this Christmas, AIB is helping vulnerable communities already suffering deeply from the impact of crises, poverty and climate change. Complete the GOAL Mile by registering at goalmile.org and taking just 2,000 steps in any place, at any time during the month of December.

On and off the track, it was a year that tested Ciara Mageean to her limits. Having begun it by facing tragedy, with the passing of her longtime coach Jerry Kiernan, there was further heartbreak ahead at the Tokyo Olympics – an injury fleecing Mageean of her health and fitness just days before she toed the line.

The latter issue came out of nowhere as the 29-year-old was going through her final hard session at the Irish holding camp. The 2019 world finalist went into that workout – six reps of 300 metres – feeling in the form of her life, but after noticing a twinge on the fifth effort she knew something was up and called a halt.