Olympian Ciara Mageean remembered at funeral in Portaferry

Olympian Ciara Mageean, a former European champion and two-time Olympic runner, died on Sunday after being diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer, BBC Sport and Yahoo Sports reported.

Her funeral took place on Tuesday in Portaferry, County Down, where hundreds of people gathered to pay their respects, including Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill, fellow Olympian Rhys McClenaghan, and 1972 gold medallist Lady Mary Peters.

Mageean's funeral cortege received a guard of honour from Portaferry GAC and her former school, Assumption Grammar in Ballynahinch, as mourners followed the procession from her family home to St Patrick's Church for the requiem Mass.

The Mass booklet featured an image of Mageean's greatest achievement on the track at the 2024 European Championships. In a homily, Father Martin Kelly recalled her accomplishments, love for her husband, and the pride she brought to her hometown.

Mageean's death came less than three weeks after her marriage to her long-term partner, Thomas Moran. Representatives from the Irish President's office, Irish Government, and various political and sports figures also attended the funeral, according to both sources.