Pride mingled with disappointment for Ciara Mageean after running 'perfect race'

Ciara Mageean took pride in running the "perfect race" in the world final of the women's 1500m but said she was "so disappointed" to finish fourth and just outside the medals in Budapest.

After a stunning performance, Mageean left herself in with a shout of a medal coming down the home straight, with the prospect of becoming only the third Irish medallist in the World Championships on the track a very live prospect.

In a world class field, the Portaferry runner drove for the line but was just edged out of the medal places, falling marginally behind Netherlands Sifan Hassan in third.

The race was won by the heavy favourite, Kenya's Faith Kipyegon, with Ethiopia's Diribe Welteji taking silver.

For Mageean, it was the run of her life and a new national record time of 3:56.61.

Speaking afterwards to RTÉ Sport's Greg Allen in Budapest, Mageean said the pride in her performance was tinged with disappointment at falling agonisingly short of a medal.

"You know, It's amazing. You dream of moments like this. But I always dreamed of the medal. There's many a year when if somebody said you're going to come fourth in the world, I'd have taken off their hand.

"I've come fourth and I'm so disappointed. I'll try not to cry.

"I came into this championship with an aim to be on that podium, to see the tricolour raised. To do everybody at home proud.

"I'm so disappointed and so sorry to fall short of that aim.

"But I know I've placed myself well and truly among the best 1500 metre runners in the world. It's where I belong and it's where the Irish belong.

"This is a good place to be going into the Olympics next year. So I know where my sights are firmly set."

It represents another high watermark for Mageean, who took silver medals in the European and