Ciara Mageean marches into world 1500m final

The Irish medal hope needed to finish in the top six. 

THUMBS UP: Ciara Mageean of Ireland after qualifying for the women's 1500m final in Budapest. Picture: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

With cruise control fully engaged, and not a trace of fatigue on her face, Ciara Mageean has breezed back into the world 1500m final. Three years on from her last one in Doha, the Portaferry native turned in a calm, confident display to finish third in her semi-final in Budapest this evening in 4:02.70.

Needing to finish in the top six to advance, Mageean played a patient game as the field went through 800m in a pedestrian 2:15.18. It was only approaching the last lap that the gears truly started to turn up front, and Mageean moved wide at the bell before coasting up to fourth entering the final bend. From there, she just had to maintain, and the 31-year-old did slightly more, edging past USA’s Cory McGee on the run to the line to book her spot in Tuesday’s final.