Last summer, she placed second to Aoife Byrne in the 1,500m at U23 Championships of Ireland and went on to compete at the European U23 Championships in the 3k steeplechase.

The Wicklow native has qualified for three consecutive NCAA Championships (outdoor track - 3k steeplechase, cross country and indoor track - mile run), which is an extraordinary accomplishment.

On 9th March, McGettigan ran a Personal Best 4.42.95 to place fifth in the mile at the 2002 NCAA Indoor Championships held in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Irish Runner.com had a few words with Róisín McGettigan while she enjoyed a brief hiatus between seasons.

Irish Runner.com: Was it your goal all season to qualify in the mile or had you been more focused on the team qualifying in the Distance Medley Relay (1,200m, 400m, 800m, 1,600m)?

Róisín McGettigan: After cross-country my fitness improved so much that I wanted to race well and qualify in the mile and have the team make it in the DMR as well. I didn't want one more than the other. I wanted to be as fit as I could be and have as many teammates make it as possible.

IR.com: Given your experience with cross-country at 5k and 6k along with the 3,000m steeplechase, why the mile versus the 3,000-metre event?

RM: It was a disastrous race tactically. There were only eight people in the race and due to inexperience I was jostling for position for 4 laps. So, for the first 800 metres I was trying to get in position and getting elbowed nearly every step of the way. I was panicking. Then, I finally got in the position I wanted which was around third or fourth. Once I got there I relaxed, I was confident I'd make the final. It was [qualifying for the final] top 3 finishers and the three fasted losers. On the last bend, a load of girls passed me. I was running as fast as I could. I thought I lost my chance, I thought that was it. I finished sixth. Everyone in the race finished within a second of each other.

I went for my cool-down really disappointed. I thought I hadn't made it [the final]. I came back and my coach said I made it - I was delighted!

IR.com: Tell us about the final.

RM: In the qualifying race I mad so many mistakes. In the heat I was unsure what I was trying to do and I was nervous. In the final, I just got off the line as quick as I could. I got in the position where I wanted to be in the inside in third position. I had a clear run the whole race - no pushing around. I was able to just focus on the race. I was delighted with fifth.

IR.com: What are you concentrating during the outdoor season? What are your goals?

RM: My goal is to get as close as possible to 10 minutes in the steeplechase. Last year was the first year it [women's steeplechase] and when I even considered taking up the event. It was a matter of, OK; let's try this race. The first race went pretty well. So, I said, 'Let's try it again.' After a few more tries, I was only a second away from getting to Nationals [NCAA Outdoor Championships] so I figured I try it just once more. By the time Nationals came around I'd done five and was exhausted. This year I hope to get 2 or 3 races. Because NCAA's are in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the conditions will be very hot; I want to qualify in the 1,500m. That way I can make the decision on where my chances are better.