This instalment of The Next Generation covers rising South Galway AC hurdler Amy Rose Kelly. Run Republic spoke to people at South Galway AC, as well as her father Sean, to learn more about the emerging Galway prospect.
Amy Rose's breakthrough year was 2022 where she kicked off with a National Indoor Sliver in the 60m hurdles and followed this with more success in the Outdoor Nationals where she won Silver in 80m Hurdles and Gold in 250m hurdles.
As well as that, Amy Rose won the Schools Intermediate 300m Hurdles at the Tailteann Games, which led to her getting the chance to represent Ireland at the SIAB's, a true honour for any athlete in the country.
Speaking to Amy Rose’s father, he told us that 2023 was ‘a year of transition’ which saw Amy Rose transition to long hurdles and 400m, moving away from sprint hurdles, with coaches Jim Phelan and Declan Derrane guiding her through this transition.
‘Last year, Amy Rose won sliver in the Connacht indoor hurdles and set a Championship Best Performance in Connacht outdoor championship U17 400m with a time of 58.85.’
The talented Galwegian went on to claim Gold in the Connacht Schools Intermediate Long Jump and pick up a Bronze in both 300m Hurdles and 400m at the Nationals with a PB of 58:18.
Sean told Run Republic that Amy Rose is ‘a dedicated athlete who enjoys training hard and taking on new challenges. Her goals for the year ahead would be to keep improving her technique and her times with the hope of one day representing Ireland again.’
Having already covered a couple of talented athletes from the Galway based club in this series, it is clear that there is something special brewing in South Galway and massive credit must go to the people behind the scenes at South Galway AC for the tireless work that is going in to produce such elite talent.
Run Republic are confident that Amy Rose will continue to reach her goals year on year, and we cannot wait to see what the future holds for this budding star!