Ciara Mageean has been hailed an ‘inspirational’ and ‘seriously impressive human’ following the latest episode of Uncharted with Ray Goggins. The Co Down native appeared alongside Dublin GAA legend Michael Darragh MacAuley on Wednesday’s RTE One programme for an epic coast-to-coast endurance challenge across Costa Rica. It covered over 250 kilometres from the Pacific to the Caribbean, with the trio cycling, running, kayaking, and trekking through dense rainforest and rugged terrain. Mageean , an Irish Olympian and current 1500m European champion, opened up about her
cancer diagnosis in the programme , saying: “I was diagnosed with cancer last May and it’s been a bit of a whirlwind ever since. Initially with the diagnosis, you think, ‘oh my God, am I going to die?’ “Me and the girls always have plans of our big 40th birthday and I’m like, ‘will I be there to celebrate that 40th birthday with my friends?’ and it’s really hard because as much as I can, I want to be me. “I feel like it’s nearly
easier being the person who has the illness. That going to treatment is in my control. 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. “I have really low days and I think it’s normal to allow myself that, to just, like, say, OK, I’m sad today. “Tommy might
be out working in the office and he’s on a call and he’s looking at me and he’s like, ‘you OK?’ and I’m shaking my head and he’s like, ‘oh, just a minute’ and all I want is a hug. “I always envisioned growing old with Thomas that I would get to see him age like a fine wine and get speckled bits of grey through his hair and the reality is I don’t know if I will have that. I find that really tough.
I keep seeing beautiful things and I can’t help but wonder will I have an opportunity to see them again.” Many people took to social media following the episode to praise Mageean, with one person writing: “Ciara Mageean is a seriously impressive human.” Another said: “Amazing lady,such a positive attitude, please God it all works out for her.” “Ciara Mageean is something else,” read one other comment. Someone else said: “Amazing, not only an outstanding competitive person – but a wonderful person to boot! You
are so special.” One other viewer commented: “Ciara, you are some amazing lady, well done and wishing you good health.” Mageean made history by becoming the first individual Irish European champion since Sonia O’Sullivan with her 2024 triumph in Rome . She has claimed four European medals throughout her career, including bronze in 2016, silver in 2022 outdoors and bronze in 2019 indoors. The Portaferry runner competed for Ireland at both the 2016 Rio Olympics and 2020 Tokyo Olympics, though she was heartbreakingly forced to
pull out of the Paris Games just before her scheduled heats due to an Achilles injury. She also secured silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Click here to sign up to our sport newsletter, bringing you the top stories and biggest headlines from Ireland and beyond .
Ciara Mageean, Uncharted, RTE One, Ray Goggins, Michael Darragh MacAuley, Costa Rica challenge, cancer diagnosis, 1500m European champion, Rio Olympics, Tokyo Olympics, Achilles injury, Commonwealth Games 2022, Sonia O'Sullivan