In this new feature, SMUSA take a look at success stories from players that have gone to America as a student-athlete and have gone on to make a real name for themselves - whether that be in football or off the field.
Name: Niall McCabe
From: Dublin, Ireland
College: Young Harris College
Degree: Media Communications
Team: Louisville City FC (USL Championship)
Hailing from Ringsend, Dublin, Niall McCabe completed his Leaving Cert in 2009 before starting a football course in Coláiste Íde, Finglas the following year.
Having been overlooked by some of the mainstream routes to professional football, Niall decided that there were better opportunities elsewhere and that opened the door to a scholarship at Young Harris College, Georgia.
In 2010, Niall embarked on a scholarship to America, which opened endless opportunities for him to live out his dream of being a professional footballer.
During his four years at Young Harris College, under the guidance of Head Coach Mark McKeever, the attacking midfielder notched up 32 goals and 31 assists in 62 appearances. Helped by these contributions, he picked up multiple individual awards to go along with the team success. He graduated with a degree in media communications.
Niall also made the most of his summers during his college days, playing in the NPSL (National Premier Soccer League with Knoxville Force and Chattanooga FC.
Success at the college and NPSL level led to Niall signing for Louisville City FC in 2015.
McCabe has gone on to become Louisville’s record appearance holder with 144 USL Championship appearances and is going in to his seventh season with the club in 2021.
Louisville City have reached the Eastern Conference Final in each of Niall’s six seasons to go along with winning the USL Championship title in 2017 and 2018.
Niall has had an incredible career since moving stateside and is a perfect example of the opportunities that the scholarship route provides 👏🏻
Want to follow in Niall’s footsteps? Send us a message to start your journey today 📲🇺🇸
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