Ireland will pay an emotional tribute to one of the country's most loved sporting figures before tonight's Nations Championship clash with Argentina at the Aviva Stadium.

The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has confirmed plans to remember several sporting figures who have died since Ireland's last home international.

Among them is European athletics champion Ciara Mageean, who sadly passed away on Sunday, aged just 34.

The tribute is particularly significant because Mageean was not a rugby player.

However, her special connection with the Ireland women's team has prompted the IRFU to break with its usual tradition.

Why is there a minute's applause before Ireland v Argentina?

Ireland will remember Ciara Mageean alongside three respected figures from Irish rugby before Friday night's match in Dublin.

According to Extra.ie, the IRFU has made an exception to its usual protocol, which typically reserves pre-match tributes for people connected to rugby.

The three rugby figures being remembered are:

• Philip Browne: Former IRFU chief executive.
• Fergus Slattery: Former Ireland and British & Irish Lions back-row forward.
• Phil O'Callaghan: Former Ireland and Munster prop.

The tribute will give thousands of supporters the opportunity to remember four people who made significant contributions to Irish sport.

Who was Ciara Mageean?

Ciara Mageean was one of Ireland's greatest middle-distance runners.

Born in Portaferry, County Down, she represented Ireland at two Olympic Games and became European 1500m champion in Rome in 2024.

Her victory was particularly special, making her just the second Irish athlete after Sonia O'Sullivan to win an individual European athletics title.

She also won European silver in 2022 and bronze in 2016, alongside a Commonwealth Games silver medal.

Away from athletics, Mageean was a passionate rugby supporter.

In 2020, she visited the Ireland women's squad and presented players with their jerseys ahead of a Women's Six Nations match against Wales.

Former Ireland prop Lindsay Peat later paid an emotional tribute to Mageean, remembering her warmth, humility and infectious personality.

How did Ciara Mageean die?

Mageean died on Sunday, 1 November, following a battle with stage four bowel cancer.

She had publicly revealed her diagnosis in July 2025.

Her death came just weeks after she married her long-term partner, Thomas Moran, in October.

A statement shared by her family confirmed that she died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.

Her funeral took place in her hometown of Portaferry on Tuesday, with hundreds gathering to remember the much-loved athlete.

The news prompted tributes from across Irish sport, including President Catherine Connolly and Taoiseach Micheál Martin.

Ireland's touching tribute at the Aviva Stadium

Friday's tribute is expected to be an emotional moment ahead of Ireland's meeting with Argentina.

For Mageean, it represents recognition of a sporting legacy that extended far beyond the athletics track.

And for the Irish rugby community, it offers a chance to remember a woman who inspired athletes across the country.

Rest in peace, Ciara.