Ciara Mageean clinches gold in 1,500m final at European Championships

"I didn't grow up playing camogie to get boxed in," the Down native said after she muscled her way to victory.  

Ciara Mageean of Ireland celebrates winning the women's 1500m final during day three of the 2024 European Athletics Championships at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

She had won silver on this stage before, and bronze before that, but at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Sunday night, Ciara Mageean finally claimed the prize she had wanted for so many years: gold.

“To be able to win the gold, to be able to bring that home to Ireland and to see our flag at the top, is something truly special,” she said. “I’m looking forward to tomorrow and hearing Amhrán na bhFiann. It’s everything I run for.” With a classy, controlled and high-calibre display, the 32-year-old unleashed a gear no one else could live with down the home straight in the European 1500m final, powering away to win Ireland its second gold medal in just three days – this from a nation that had not won any since 1998.