On Thursday, 17th April, Michelle Gallagher signed an official Letter of Intent to attend Iona College in New Rochelle, New York next fall. Gallagher, who attends Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory School in San Francisco, California, placed third in the Irish Inter Clubs Cross Country Championships in 2002 (Dublin) and in 2003 in Wicklow and in 2002 California State Cross Country Championships. She wore the green vest representing Ireland at the World Cross Country Championships held in Leopardstown in March 2002.

The Dundrum South Dublin athlete set a massive 20+ second personal best in 3,200m event running 10.33.04. Gallagher placed 5th in the Arcadia Invitational on 12th April - one of the most competitive meets in America for secondary schools. She crossed the 3,000-kilometre mark in 9.54.9. Also this season she's run relay legs of 4.58.7 (mile) 2.17.7 (800m). She won the Home Depot 5k road race in January in 17.46.

Dubliner Mick Byrne will coach Gallagher at Iona, which is located just outside New York City. Iona Gaels coach Byrne (Clonliffe Harriers) has successfully coached a myriad of Irish athletes including Kieran Stack, Martin McCarthy and Vinny Mulvey and is looking forward to building a women's team with Gallagher as a cornerstone.