2024 was a huge year for Irish athlete Ciara Mageean and it ended on a very exciting note as her long-time partner popped the question.
Ciara brought home another gold medal at the European Championships in June 2024 and credited her success to her love, Thomas Moran.
With the couple set to become Mr and Mrs, here's what we know about Thomas and Ciara's relationship.
They both love athletics
The couple met when they were studying at UCD in Dublin, with both of them having a keen interest in athletics. Thomas competed in the 1500m on track and won the Griffith Avenue mile in 2019.
Over time, Thomas became one of Ciara's training partners, helping her to get to some of the biggest championships in the world.
Thomas is Ciara's biggest supporter
In the past, the athlete spoke of how Thomas is behind her every step of the way. She told the Irish News: 'I put all of my focus in life into my athletics... My boyfriend moved to Manchester to be with me because he knew I wasn't going to go back to Ireland.'
Thomas has been there from day one and has gone that extra mile, several times, when it comes to Ciara's sporting career.
In 2017, Ciara missed her graduation due to a competition but Thomas, along with her friends, hosted a mini ceremony for her, with a cap and gown.
Ciara explained at the time: 'It would come as no surprise that I missed my graduation because I was running somewhere. So my amazing boyfriend and friends there me a surprise grad.
'They got me a robe, and a hat, robbed my script from the cupboard it was hidden away in and told me to get dressed up for a surprise.'
Facing tough times
It was Thomas that Ciara turned to when she was forced to drop out of the Olympics after hurting her ankle.
She told Patrick Kielty on the Late Late Show: 'Sitting there beside the river with Thomas and deciding that I'm going to have to actually make a call on this and yeah I sat there with him, I had a cry.'
Then, in July 2025, Ciara announced that she'd been diagnosed with cancer and was already undergoing treatment.
'I’m incredibly grateful to be surrounded by the love and support of my family and close friends,' she wrote, adding that: 'I’m ready to face this with the same fight I’ve always brought to the track.'
Seeing the world together
It is not all running and no fun for the couple as over the years they have made sure to fit in holidays to Spain and the United States.
Getting engaged
Thomas popped the question over Christmas in 2024, with Ciara announcing their engagement in January 2025.
Alongside photos of their engagement celebrations, she wrote: 'My biggest prize yet. 2024 came to a close by answering the easiest question I’ve ever been asked. Tommy has been the rock by my side for over ten years, and now, my training partner for life.'
Ciara later told EVOKE that the proposal had been a long time coming. 'He bought a ring in Switzerland and was planning on proposing in Switzerland, but I was obviously going through a rough time,' she said.
The athlete continued to explain that Thomas then thought about popping the question in France, saying: 'After the Olympics in Paris, whenever we have a little bit of time together. And then obviously that didn't go to plan. So yeah, the poor lad's been waiting for his opportunity.'
Even on the day of the proposal, Thomas had planned to get down on one knee by the River Shannon but thanks to the Irish weather had to wait until they were inside, finally getting to ask his big question.
