The Sideline Live
Would you move halfway across the world to chase your dream?
One question, seven Irish players, six American campuses. Spotlight Her follows the athletes carrying Irish basketball across the Atlantic, in their own words. Produced by Basketball Ireland with The Sideline Live and Sport Ireland.
The seven
Seven players through the 2025/26 NCAA season. Six of them answered the question on the podcast, from their own campus.
- 01Gandy Malou-MamelAnswered at UConnUConn
- 02Ella O'DonnellFeatured in the series, no podcast episodeQuinnipiac
- 03Grace PrenterAnswered at TexasTexas
- 04Maria KealyAnswered at QuinnipiacQuinnipiac
- 05Emma TolanAnswered at OklahomaOklahoma
- 06Lucy CooganAnswered at CaldwellCaldwell
- 07Amy DugganAnswered at Saint LeoSaint Leo
Finalist, Irish Sport Industry Awards 2026. Best Use of Communications Platforms in Sport and Physical Activity. Basketball Ireland's announcement
How it is made
A co-production, recorded across time zones.
Every episode starts from the same place: what it takes to leave home at eighteen for a scholarship and a season most people at home never see.
Basketball Ireland opened the door, Sport Ireland backed the series, and Orla did what she does on The Sideline Live: asked, then listened.
Part of Basketball Ireland's work to promote women at every level of the game, and a finalist at the Irish Sport Industry Awards in its first season.
Follow all of them, all season
The Away End tracks every Irish basketball player on a scholarship or a pro deal, the Spotlight Her seven included.