Cobh's Amy Duggan is living the dream in the USA

Former Cobh basketball player Amy Duggan is living every young players dream playing her basketball in the USA.

Last season she played at Hillsborough Community College in Florida and she did very well there.

However, in the off-season she moved schools and she is now treading the hardwood floor for Saint Leo University, which is located 45 minutes from the college she played with last season.

Duggan was offered a scholarship from Saint Leo University at the beginning of her basketball season last year while playing with Hillsborough. 

Their coach had been recruiting her for years, even before she tore her ACL in her knee while she was still in Ireland and once recovered he watched her play in some pre-season games, so an offer was made to her after that.

“Last year I had a really good first season where I was a starter for most games,” Amy said.

“Our team did well in our conference and we made it to the state tournament, but we unfortunately, we lost in the first round against the national champions, Northwest Florida State College.

“I am now living on campus at Saint Leo University. The campus is located in Tampa, Florida.

“My new college is a division 2 college, playing in the Sunshine State Conference."

Amy is now more accustomed to her new surroundings and the pace of the game Stateside and is really enjoying the new experience with her new teammates.

“The biggest difference from playing last year is definitely the pace of the game. 

"The style of basketball we play at my new school is really fast paced and high intensity for short intervals. 

"The system we run here is five people on five people off, so you get used to playing with a smaller group rather than the entire team. 

"Last year I had more free time but this year my schedule is a lot busier. 

"During pre-season I had multiple workouts a day but since we are now in season we have one team practice a day for two hours, with a weights session every Monday and Wednesday.

“We have an entire new team and coaching staff, so right now everyone is still getting used to playing with each other and getting used to their roles. 

"The team is also a very young team so that could be a challenge also but I am confident that we will do well in the conference this year.

“I love my new surroundings. 

"I prefer this campus a lot more than last year. 

"It’s a really pretty campus with lots of different facilities. It’s also really big and there’s always something to do. 

"There are so many different sports teams so the athletes go to each other’s games to support each other which is really nice. 

"There is also a pool in our wellness centre so my friends and myself like to go there in our off time as well.

“The goal this year is to obviously win the conference and go and compete in the national tournament. 

"Our league is highly competitive so it will be a good test for our new team this year. 

"Regarding myself, my goal is to help improve the team in every way that I can as well as being in the rotation of players. 

"I’d also like to see myself improve my game from last year and be confident going into this season with a year of playing in the states under my belt."

Duggan, who played with her sisters Ellie and Leah with Cobh and they all played under her mother Cathy before she headed to fulfill her dream of playing college ball in the States.

“I want to personally thank my family and am lucky enough to have my two sisters, Ellie and Leah, who are my two best friends. 

"All of last year they stayed up until all hours to watch my streamed games live. 

"Then after games send me texts to tell me how well I played along with a video of every basket I scored.

"However, the two people I owe everything to are my parents Eamon and Cathy. 

"They have spent countless hours into making me the player and person I am today. Between getting my rebounds for me in the gym to driving me all over Ireland for Irish training, nothing was ever a problem. 

"They are responsible for pushing me to follow my dreams and play college basketball in the America and never doubted me once. 

"My mom has coached me since the age of six and has always been my biggest role model. 

"Both my mom and dad have always taught me to believe in myself. 

"They are the reason for my triumphs and I am beyond grateful for everything they have done to get me to where I am today,” Duggan added.