This week’s instalment of The Next Generation series shines the spotlight on one of Kilkenny’s brightest young talents, Molly Daly. A rising star with both speed and versatility, Molly is heading into the 2024 season in top form and with big ambitions.
Athletics is very much in Molly’s blood. She comes from a family steeped in the sport, with both her parents, Fiona Norwood and Robert Daly, being accomplished former athletes. It’s no surprise, then, that Molly has found her own path to success on the track, combining raw talent with the benefit of being coached by the people who know her best.
Despite only turning 16 at the end of March, Molly already has a string of impressive achievements to her name. In 2023, she made a mark in both sprints and hurdles, showcasing her range and competitive edge.
Her standout moment came over the longer hurdles, where she captured the Irish Schools 300m Hurdles title, before going on to earn a bronze medal at the Schools Internationals in Scotland. Not content with success over the barriers, she also dominated the flat sprints, securing gold medals over 200 metres at both the indoor and outdoor Irish Championships.
Now, with 2024 underway, Molly’s focus is clear. Just two weeks ago, she achieved the coveted U18 European qualification standard for the 200m, laying down a serious marker for the season ahead. “All going to plan,” she says, “I’d like to advance from the heats at the Europeans.”
Her primary focus for the year will be on the 200m, though she’s not ruling out a few hurdles races along the way. And with personal bests of 7.89 seconds over 60m, 24.54 seconds for 200m, and 43.42 for 300m hurdles, she’s already proving she has the speed and endurance to compete with the best.
Staying fit and healthy will be the key to unlocking her full potential this season, but with her family’s experience behind her and her own determination driving her forward, there’s every reason to believe that Molly Daly will make this year her most successful yet.
At Run Republic, we’ll be watching closely as she aims to make her mark at the European U18 Championships and continue a proud family tradition of athletic excellence.