In this instalment of our Next Generation series, we return to South Galway AC, a club quickly becoming a production line for emerging athletic talent. This time, the spotlight falls on Orlaith Mannion, a 16-year-old hurdler who ended 2023 with a collection of medals heavy enough to weigh down even the most seasoned athlete, and she’s only getting started.
Under the guidance of coach Declan Derrane, Orlaith delivered a standout season across a remarkable range of distances and competitions, proving she’s not only talented but impressively versatile.
Her medal-winning campaign kicked off indoors, where she clinched All-Ireland bronze in the U17 60m Hurdles, a fiercely competitive sprint event that rewards lightning-quick reactions and flawless technique. But if that early success set the tone, the outdoor season showcased the full breadth of her talent.
Orlaith powered her way to silver in the Inter Girls 80m Hurdles at the Schools All-Ireland, before adding a bronze at the Tailteann Games in the same event. Not content with medals over the sprint hurdles, she stepped up to longer distances and proved just as formidable. At the All-Ireland U17 Outdoor Championships, she picked up silver in both the 100m Hurdles and the gruelling 300m Hurdles, a rare double that highlighted both her speed and her stamina.
By season’s end, she rounded off her remarkable year with a Tailteann bronze over 300m hurdles, bringing her total haul to six national medals in 2023 alone.
What makes this all the more impressive is that she hasn’t just collected medals, she’s posted some eye-catching times too. Orlaith’s personal bests stand at 8.86 seconds for the 60m Hurdles, 14.27 for the 100m Hurdles, and 43.59 for the 300m Hurdles, numbers that firmly place her among Ireland’s most exciting young hurdlers.
Looking ahead to 2024, Orlaith has set herself clear and ambitious targets. Her top priority is to break through the magical 14-second barrier in the 100m Hurdles and hit the qualifying standard for the European U18 Championships. But ever the pragmatist, she’s also keeping the Schools International (SIAB) firmly on her radar should things not fall perfectly into place.
Most importantly, Orlaith is focused on overcoming a hip injury that has hampered her progress. Returning to full health is the first hurdle she’s determined to clear this year, and with her work ethic and competitive spirit, few would bet against her doing just that.
Here at Run Republic, we’ll be eagerly following Orlaith’s progress through 2024. With her talent, resilience, and a touch of good fortune on the injury front, this could be the year she leaps to new heights and adds even more silverware to that already impressive collection.