from A.A.I A BBC documentary has been created on local middle distance ace Ciara Mageean who has had a phenomenal year in 2008. The video clip features behind the scenes footage at the Commonwealth Youth Games in India along with interviews and an insight into her training and lifestyle. Mageean has an exciting career ahead of her and will be hoping to retain her title at the Odyssey Arena this weekend in the 1500m.
Ciara Mageean had an outstanding debut senior 1500m race in the 2008 Irish Indoors. Aged only 15, took a massive 8 seconds off her PB to defeat Roseanne Galligan and set a new Irish junior record of 4.26.52.
With performances like this, the Portaferry girl is rapidly becoming one of the most exciting prospects in Irish athletics. Ciara continued to have an outstanding year reaching the final of the World Junior Championships in Poland, taking the bronze 1500m medal at the Commonwealth Youth Games in India and finished 17th in Brussels at the European Cross Country Championships.
Completing a fantastic evening for Ulster’s gifted young sporting stars, the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Youth Games team walked away with the Young Team of the Year prize at the Belfast Telegraph Sports Awards, after they enjoyed unprecedented success in India last year, winning medals galore. Not surprisingly Jason took the honours in the Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability category.
Minister Gregory Campbell recently recognized the Commonwealth Youth Team at a reception in Stormont Buildings saying:
“I congratulate all the young people who represented Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune, India. The team won a total of nine medals – four silver and five bronze- a wonderful achievement. As Minister responsible for sport, I am doing all I can to encourage everyone in Northern Ireland to participate in sport and have the opportunity to compete at the highest levels. The Minister commended the young athletes for their hard work and determination and encouraged them to look forward to the 2010 commonwealth Games in Delhi and the 2014 Games in Glasgow.
Ciara ran an impressive 800m recently at the Indoor City Cup for Team Belfast, finishing second to London North’s Michaela Hutchinson (2:10.10). 16 year old Mageean, who was recently nominated as a UK School Games ambassador, crossed the line in 2:10.50 which is a new Indoor PB.
“I just went out there and ran. I’m happy, it was a senior race and I’m only 16. Being asked to be an ambassador for the UKSG was amazing, such an honour, I won 3000m in 2007 and 1500m last year so perhaps it’s because of that.”
Paste the following URL into your web bar and click on ‘One to Watch Documentary Challenge’
https://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/schools/11_16/blastni/media.shtml