Tributes have been paid to the middle distance runner who died at the age of 34 following a battle with cancer.

Irish Olympian Ciara Mageean has been described as a “champion in every sense of the word” following her death aged 34.

Political leaders across the island of Ireland have expressed profound sadness at the news of the passing of the former European champion and twice Olympian from Portaferry, Co Down, at 6.30am on Sunday.

They said: “A beloved daughter, sister, wife, friend and inspiration to so many, she will be deeply missed.”

Mageean was one of the most high-profile athletes in Ireland, specialising in the middle-distance running 1,500m event.She represented Ireland at both the 2016 Rio Olympics and 2020 Tokyo Olympics, as well as holding a slew of Irish records.

She went on to become the first individual Irish European champion since Sonia O’Sullivan when she struck gold at the 2024 championships in Rome.

Mageean was unable to compete at the 2024 Olympics due to an Achilles injury.

The following year, Mageean announced she had been diagnosed with cancer. There were shockwaves across Ireland and the sporting community when Mageean revealed her diagnosis of stage four cancer of the bowel with a likely terminal prognosis.She went on to marry her partner Thomas Moran in October just weeks before her death.

Mageean has been described as someone who “never forgot her roots”.

The runner had played camogie as a youngster with Portaferry GACDown GAA said she was proud of her roots and remained closely connected, being at matches when she could, cheering on club and county, and sending messages of support and inspiration.

“Ciara Mageean never forgot her sense of place and community.

“We in Down GAA were honoured and privileged to be able to say that Ciara was one of our own, she touched the lives of so many people and she helped change the lives of so many, she gave us many great moments of joy, when we all could feel a part of her successes and in her battle with illness she showed us courage, positivity and the value of life,” they said in a statement.

Irish President Catherine Connolly expressed deep sadness.

“Throughout that remarkable career, Ciara stood out not just for her exceptional talent, but for her strength and perseverance, for her clear speaking, and for her determination to succeed,” she said.