MAGEEAN TOPS POLL IN EUROPE
Ciara races to 1500m glory and it’s gold for Ireland again
CLASSY Ciara Mageean ran the race of her life in Rome last night to become 1500m European champion in glorious style.
She won bronze and silver at these championships in the past but always craved the number one spot.
Her dream was always to stand on top of the podium with Amhrán na bhFiann playing.
In a tactical race, the strong British team did their best to box Mageean in.
But the Down woman turned on the afterburners in the last 150 metres, slipping through a gap to sprint clear for gold.
Mageean’s time was 4.04.66, which put her ahead of Britain’s Georgia Bell in second spot and Agathe Guillemot of France in third.
Mageean is definitely part of the elite in the sport now, having won four major medals in one of the most competitive disciplines on the track.
She has always been ferociously competitive, and she figures that’s partly rooted in her camogie background.
Even now, her eyes light up when she talks about the sport.
Puck
She’s been based in Manchester for the past few years but still keeps hurleys and sliotars in the boot of her car, having a puck around if she gets the chance.
The journey to becoming European champion started in Portaferry as a child but her trip to the Euro Indoors in Belgrade was a critical turning point in her career.
Mageean was carrying an injury and had to drop out of the final.
It took a chat with sports psychologist, Kate Kirby, to get her focused properly again. Mageean made significant changes, moving to Manchester to work with a new coach in Steve Vernon, and now Helen Clitheroe.
In Glasgow, at the 2019 European Championships, she just missed out on a medal, finishing fourth in the 1500m final.
In 2021, Mageean was determined to finish on the podium, no matter what, and secured silver in thrilling style.
Now she has a glorious gold to crown her career — and the Olympics is still to come.
Meanwhile, Rhasidat Adeleke and Sharlene Mawdsley will line up for the 400m final tonight after qualifying from their semi-finals last night in impressive fashion.
Adeleke looked to have plenty left in the tank in crossing the line first in a 50.54, the fastest overall from the three heats.
“I do feel good — mentally, I’m in a good place, I just wanted to make sure I was in contention, didn’t want to waste too much energy in the heats,” she said.
“I was looking at the screen, making sure I was in a good spot and got through well.
“I feel good, it was good to get out there again, being in the stadium, being in the mix. It was a good run.”
Mawdsley clocked 50.99 to finish second in her semi-final, which will go ahead at 8.50pm.
“That’s the job done. The plan was to come in the top two, obviously, that was automatic qualification for tomorrow’s final, which is insane,” aaid Mawdsley.
“I think I’m still feeling the repercussions of two days ago. I’m wrecked, but that’s the job done.
“I was super nervous today so hopefully, tomorrow now I’ll go in nice and relaxed and see what I can do.
“Knowing you’re in good shape is always a little bit nerve-wracking because you always want to produce it, so to go sub-51 today, I’m really happy.”
Sophie Becker finished fourth in heat two in 51.54 but did not advance.
Chris O’Donnell missed out on the men’s 400m final after a fourth place finish in 45.72, but he was disqualified for a lane infringement in the aftermath