On episode 175 I check in with one of Ireland’s biggest college signings and one of 9 Irish girls entering Division 1 college basketball Emma Tolan. 

Emma recently signed with the University of Oklahoma, one of America’s most well known sports programmes they compete in the SEC and are ranked 7th in the nation. From Cavan to the SEC she learnt her trade at Cavan Eagles and Virginia College winning 5 All-Ireland schools titles and Women's Division 1 (national league) young player of the year.

Emma enters as a sophomore following one year at DCU and will join the Sooners fresh off their sweet sixteen appearance in the NCAA tournament loss to UCONN. 

During the basketball off season she has won a handful of ulster titles and a minor All-Ireland title in 2024 with underage cavan ladies football teams and county titles with her club and county including an Ulster Ladies Football all-star award.

The ultimate super siblings trio, she shares the court and pitch with older sisters Niamh and Ciara, who have both represented Ireland and Cavan at international and county competitions. While their Dad Graham, helps run the club in his role as chairman which has grown from strength to strength entering the national league in 2022 and securing promotion to the super league for the 2024/25 season. 

Success continued for Emma on the international stage with a 6th place finish at the U18 Euros in 2023 where she was shortlisted for a MVP fan vote. She will face international team mate Grace Prenter next season as she suits up for the University of Texas who also compete in the SEC.

The Sooners are a stacked squad with highly ranked players including four McDonald's All-Americans: All-SEC picks Reagan Beers and Payton Verhulst, Sahara Williams, and the number 1 ranked recruit in the class of 2025 Aaliyah Chavez. Coach Jennie Baranczyk enters her 4th season and has built a strong foundation so far, with her sights clearly on bringing a national championship back to Norman, Oklahoma.

“Going from the wee show center in Virginia out to that big of a stadium is a bit mad to think about”

From the Virginia Show center with give or take a max capacity of 600, to the Lloyd Noble Center with over 10k, an exciting year awaits the talented Tolan. 

Follow Emma:

https://www.instagram.com/emma_tolan1/

Follow Oklahoma Women's Basketball

https://www.instagram.com/ou_wbball/

Follow The Sideline Live Social Media channels: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/thesidelinelive⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thesidelinelive/⁠⁠⁠ 

Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBand

Intro music, Watered Eyes by a talented Irish artist, Dillon Ward check him out ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ . 

If you are looking to set up your own podcast get in touch with the Prymal Productions team ⁠⁠⁠www.prymal.ie⁠⁠⁠