Ciara Mageean thought she would ‘peak’ in her 20s – but at 32, she just took home gold at the European Athletics Championships. 

The County Down native and two-time Olympian won her first gold medal at the European Championships in Rome on Sunday night. 

She previously took home a silver medal in 2022 and a bronze medal in 2016. 

She told The Pat Kenny Show she always “kept the faith” that her time to top the podium would come. 

“I've certainly been thereabouts for a long time,” she said. 

Ms Mageean said her shining moment did come a “bit later than expected” for most in her field. 

“I would've thought 28 would have been my peak in the game,” she said. 

“But the great Gerry Kieran said thanks to my years of injuries I would have a longer career – he was fairly right with that prediction. 

“I'm running faster than ever at 32 and I'm not putting the break on it. 

“They say 30s are the new 20s.” 

Ciara Mageean, of Ireland celebrates after winning the gold medal in the women's 1500 meters final at the European Athletics Championships in Rome, Sunday, June 9, 2024. Image: AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino

The athlete was nearly caught out by British runners Jemma Reekie and Georgia Bell, who formed a box around her to prevent her from getting ahead. 

Ms Mageean found a gap, however, in the final stretch of the race, bringing her to victory. 

“I had every faith in my ability that I would have something to give when I had the opportunity,” she said. 

“Everybody is out there with one goal in mind and for me it was to hear ‘Amhrán na bhFiann’ - no matter who was in front of me I was going to put them behind me.” 

Mageean prepares for Olympics

Ms Mageean didn’t spend much time celebrating beyond a cold pizza with friends and family at 2am, when she could finally leave the stadium.

Now, she is preparing for the Olympics in Paris later this summer, where she hopes to do Ireland proud once again. 

“There's no rest for the wicked,” she said. “We have big plans for the rest of the summer. 

“There’s no resting on your laurels.” 

Ireland’s Rhasidat Adeleke also secured a silver medal and set a new Irish record in the final of the 400m over the weekend. 

She was also part of the 4 x 400m relay team that took home gold on Friday night, alongside Chris O'Donnell, Sharlene Mawdsley and Thomas Barr.