Northern Ireland

‘The reality is I don’t know if I will have that..’ Portaferry champion athlete Ciara Mageean speaks of cancer struggle

European champion describes diagnosis and treatment in new episode of Uncharted with Ray Goggins

Ireland’s Ciara Mageean has shared news of her cancer diagnosis
Co Down European champion runner Ciara Mageean was diagnosed with cancer in July 2025
By Paul Ainsworth

Co Down Olympian and record-breaking athlete Ciara Mageean has opened up about her cancer diagnosis and spoken of how it has impacted the lives of her family, friends and partner.

The 34-year-old Portaferry middle distance runner and European Athletics Championship gold medallist spoke about her illness on RTÉ One show Uncharted with Ray Goggins.

In the show, in which Irish celebrities face extreme wilderness challenges with the former Irish Army ranger and author, Ms Mageean described her ordeal in personal testimony both alone in front of a camera, and in chats with Mr Goggins and fellow show participants.

Ciara Mageean celebrates her golden moment as she swept across the line in first place at June's European Championships in Rome. Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images
Ciara Mageean celebrates winning gold at the 2024 European Championships in Rome PICTURE: MICHAEL STEELE (Michael Steele/Getty Images)

She had revealed her cancer diagnosis in July of last year in a post on Instagram.

“I anticipated going on to reach the next Olympic Games, that was my focus,” she says in the episode to be broadcast on Wednesday evening.

“So I was diagnosed with cancer last May and it’s been a bit of a whirlwind ever since,” she tells producers.

“Initially with the diagnosis you think, ‘oh my God, am I going to die?’.

“I feel like it’s nearly easier being the person who has the illness. That going to treatment is in my control.

Read more: Brendan Crossan: Ciara Mageean - a proper hero we will always run with

“How I cope with that post-Chemo slump is on me, and I know I will make it through, but it’s my partner Tommy - he has to see me feel sick. Or my parents, whose little girl is ill, and they can’t do anything about it.”

The two-time Olympian said she “always envisioned growing old” with her partner and “I would get to see him age like a fine wine”.

“The reality is I don’t know if I will have that - I find that really tough,” she adds.

In the episode, she also tells fellow participants: “Me and the girls always have plans of like our big 40th birthday, and I’m like, will I be there to celebrate that 40th birthday with my friends?”