Ciara Mageean reveals she has been diagnosed with cancer
In a post on Instagram on Friday evening, the 33-year-old wrote: 'To everyone who's been part of my journey so far, I have some difficult news to share: I've been diagnosed with cancer. It's been a lot to take in, but I've already started treatment and I'm incredibly grateful to be surrounded by the love and support of my family and close friends.
'Right now, my focus is on healing and taking things one day at a time. I kindly ask that you respect my privacy and that of my loved ones as we move through this together. Your understanding means more than I can say.'
The Co Down native last raced 12 months ago in Monaco but was forced to withdraw from the Paris Olympics a few weeks later due to an Achilles tendon issue which saw her undergo surgery in London last September. She had been in the form of her life prior to the injury, kicking to glory at the European Championships in Rome last June ahead of Britain's Georgia Hunter Bell, who went on to win Olympic bronze in Paris.
Mageean spent the winter rehabbing and started back running earlier this year, eyeing a competitive comeback this summer and hoping to compete at the Tokyo World Championships in September, but she pulled the plug on that ambition in May after suffering a setback with her ankle.
Nonetheless, her sights were still set on reaching a fourth Olympics in 2028 in Los Angeles, a decision she made in Paris last year.
'I sat down with Thomas and he put his arm around me and said, 'You won your gold medal in Rome and Italy had a special place for Jerry' [Kiernan, Mageean's former coach]. LA was his Olympics, so we're going to focus on that. My dream may have been dashed but in that moment, I firmly set my sights on the next four-year cycle.'
Having been based in England for seven years, training with Team New Balance Manchester, Mageean moved back to Northern Ireland last year, having left the group earlier in the year. The Portaferry native bought a home in Belfast along with her fiance, Thomas Moran, and has been primarily based there over the past year.
A four-time European medallist, Mageean is the fastest Irishwoman in history at 800m, 1000m, 1500m and the mile. She is also a two-time world 1500m finalist, finishing just off the podium in fourth at the last edition in Budapest in 2023.
On her Instagram post revealing the diagnosis, she wrote: 'Thank you for the love and strength. I'm ready to face this with the same fight I've always brought to the track.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The 42
an hour ago
- The 42
Chelsea handed Manchester City test to open WSL title defence
CHAMPIONS CHELSEA WILL begin the defence of their Women's Super League title at home to Manchester City after fixtures for the new season were released. Sonia Bompastor's side, who romped unbeaten to a sixth consecutive crown in her first season in charge, will welcome the team that finished a disappointing fourth last campaign to Stamford Bridge on the evening of 5 September, in a match broadcast live on Sky Sports. Newl- promoted London City Lionesses face a trip to the Emirates Stadium to play European champions Arsenal the following day live on BBC One, promising a stern test for the WSL's first fully independent club in their first ever top-flight fixture. Renee Slegers' side are looking to build on their stunning victory over Barcelona in May which saw them lift the Champions League trophy, as they seek to end Chelsea's WSL monopoly and become champions for the first time since 2019. Advertisement This season marks the beginning of a new five-year broadcast deal in which every match will be made available live on either the BBC or Sky Sports. For the first time, all WSL2 matches will be broadcast live on YouTube, with Sky Sports and the BBC also having the right to select any second-tier matches for broadcast. Ireland and Arsenal star Katie McCabe. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Anfield will host its first Merseyside derby of the season on 7 September when Everton visit to kick off the campaign, whilst last season's third-place finishers Manchester United welcome Leicester to Leigh Sports Village. Brighton v Aston Villa and Tottenham v West Ham round out the opening weekend's fixtures. Last season's top two Chelsea and Arsenal meet for the first time at the Emirates on 8 November with the first Manchester derby taking place at the Etihad Stadium on 16 November. This season will be the last in which the WSL uses its current 12-team format, with the division set to expand to 14 from the 2026-27 campaign. Two clubs are set to be promoted from the new WSL2 – formerly the Championship – with the WSL's bottom side playing off against the side that finishes third in the second tier. The league have also committed to ensuring that Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United will be given two clear days' rest after domestic matches in order to prepare for midweek Champions League games.
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Some things ain't worth it' – Tyson Fury reveals two heavyweights he will never fight
TYSON FURY has revealed the two heavyweights he would NEVER fight. The Gypsy King revealed he is Advertisement 3 Tyson Fury has revealed the two heavyweights he would NEVER fight Credit: Shutterstock Editorial But he ruled out ever facing former sparring partner Agit Kabayel or close friend Joseph Parker - for any amount of money. He said at a Goldstar Promotions event at BoxPark: "They are my two brothers. "They are both lovely guys, and they are both future world heavyweight champions. "Agit Kabayel and Joseph Parker... he [Parker] has been a champion before, so he knows what it is about. Advertisement READ MORE IN boxing "I wish them all the very best in the world and I won't fight either man for any amount of money because some things ain't worth fighting for." Kabayel was once lined up to fight Fury in 2020 but the bout fell through. Although the two would have shared the ring as sparring partners - forming a friendship in the years since. Kabayel, 32, admitted to struggling to find fights until Fury began to publicly push him. Advertisement Most read in Boxing 3 Fury with good pal Joseph Parker Credit: Instagram @joeboxerparker 3 Agit Kabayel with Fury in 2016 CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Since then, the German has improved to 26-0 with big wins over Frank Sánchez and Zhilei Zhang to become interim WBC champ. Advertisement Parker, 33, meanwhile beat Fury's cousin Hughie in 2017 to win the WBO belt and the two have been inseparable ever since. The New Zealander has even lived with the Fury family and spent Christmas together in 2022. And Parker - He said: "How can you fight a brother? Unless it's like we put on some sort of WWE type. It's hard to say, he's been very good to me." Advertisement Fury, 36, retired after two defeats to Usyk, 38, but revealed he will return in 2026 once the He said: "That's what I f***ing miss. I miss it! "I do miss it, every single day I wake up in the morning and miss it. I've been away seven months, missed it everyday. I'm open to offers at the moment. "I'm not going to be doing any comebacks this year, that's for sure. I'm busy as you can see I've got Netflix here. Advertisement "I'm filming At Home With The Furys season two. Come on! And then next year the big GK is going to make a f***ing comeback. "The takeover! I'm gonna be 37 in about three weeks so I'm going to be the oldest swinger with all these young boys coming up it's going to be difficult. "But I believe I can put on some very good nights still." Advertisement
Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
No stopping Louth fighter Grace Conway as she bags another Irish crown to boost Euro hopes
The much-anticipated bout, held under the spotlight of a packed finals night, drew supporters from across the country, including a large and vocal contingent from Tredagh Boxing Academy, eager to witness another chapter in the Dunleer native's storied career. From the opening bell, it was clear that this was a clash of elite-level operators. O'Brien, a tall and technically sound orthodox fighter, claimed the centre of the ring and attempted to dictate the pace. However, Conway, displaying her trademark composure and sharp ring IQ, engaged in a tactical chess match that defined the first round. Both athletes feinted intelligently, each striving to gain positional advantage, but it was Conway's ability to manage distance that set her apart. She continually used her jab to initiate two-punch combinations and exited exchanges with poise. Her backhand cross served as a key weapon, especially when countering O'Brien's advances, allowing her to edge a tense but controlled opening round. With the initial round serving as a calculated feeling-out process, Conway shifted gears impressively in the second. From the first exchange, a new urgency was evident as she doubled her output and began to apply significant pressure. When O'Brien attempted to assert herself, Conway neutralised the attacks, blocking jabs and responding with crisp, accurate combinations. A particularly punishing double backhand cross mid-way through the round forced O'Brien into her own corner, where Conway unleashed a barrage of heavy shots, prompting the referee to administer the first standing count of the fight. Maintaining her composure, Conway resumed the onslaught with a seven-punch combination that concluded with another thudding backhand, sending O'Brien retreating to the ropes. This forced the referee to step in with a second standing count. Sensing the moment, Conway surged forward with relentless combinations, mixing speed and power, and her final backhand strike landed clean through the guard. The referee counted O'Brien out, bringing an emphatic end to the contest. The performance marked yet another milestone in what has already been an exceptional year for Conway. With two international victories over Wales and France under her belt, captaining Ireland in one of those fixtures, her case for selection to the upcoming European U19 Championships has never been stronger. A two-time European silver medallist, Conway will now enter High Performance Training with the national squad in preparation for the September championship. This All-Ireland triumph also marks the fourth national title this season for Tredagh Boxing Academy and, looking ahead, a 15-strong U15 team is competing at the Manchester International Box Cup. And the same weekend an U 11 team contests the prestigious Monkstown International Box Cup.
