[4] In January the following year, Galligan finished second in the final of the 1500 metres at the Irish Indoor Athletics Championships, behind Ciara Mageean .

[5] At the 2009 European Athletics Under-23 Championships, Galligan ran a personal best time of 4:14.84 to qualify for the 1500 metres final, where she finished sixth.

[6][2] Just over a week later, she ran a personal best time to win the 800 metres at the BMC Gold Standard Races in Watford.

[12] At the London Diamond League Anniversary Games on 27 July 2013, Galligan broke Sonia O'Sullivan's 19-year-old Irish national record in the 800 metres; running a time of 2:00.58, she finished sixth in the race.

[3] At the 2013 World Championships in Athletics, Galligan failed to reach the semifinals of the 800 metres, after finishing seventh in her heat.