Australians Seem Massively Excited By Arrival Of Mayo 'Prodigy' Kobe McDonald

It was confirmed overnight that the GAA is set to lose one of its most promising young talents, with it being announced that Mayo youngster Kobe McDonald has agreed to join AFL club St Kilda in 2026.

The 17-year old Crossmolina Deel Rovers man has hit national headlines in recent months on the back of his performance in the Mayo Senior Championship. The teenager would play a starring role as his club reached the semi-finals of the competition, with the youngster scoring 0-10 in the loss to Westport.

While it has long been rumoured that there was some AFL interest in the son of Mayo legend Ciaran McDonald, reports emerged in recent days that he had agreed to join a club in Australia.

It was confirmed in the early hours of this morning that he was set to join St Kilda, linking up with the Melbourne outfit after he completes his leaving cert next summer.

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While Kobe McDonald will be a huge loss to Mayo GAA over the coming years, he could be a massive addition to St Kilda.

Despite the teenager being an unknown quantity Down Under, there seems to be quite a bit of excitement on the back of the news of his commitment to the AFL club.

Gaelic prodigy Kobe McDonald has joined the Saints as a Category B rookie from County Mayo 🍀🇮🇪

Welcome to the red, white and black, Kobe! pic.twitter.com/V3Xg9hEJRN

— St Kilda FC (@stkildafc) November 3, 2025

This is St Kilda signing Kobe McDonald from two years ago. Serious pace to burn. And this year he has stepped up to senior level and impressed in the Mayo Senior Championship. https://t.co/UKcTFVhVXa pic.twitter.com/I86sCMCavo

— Mitch Cleary (@cleary_mitch) November 3, 2025

Top Irish footballer and Gaelic prospect Kobe McDonald is set to make the move across the globe and officially join St Kilda.

The highly rated talent from Mayo is considered one of the most exciting Gaelic players at the moment. He will team up with fellow Irishmen Liam… pic.twitter.com/woGtFI9XLU

— Saints TV (@saintstvpod) November 3, 2025

Saints signing Irish lad Kobe McDonald who looks to be a precocious talent (just 17 years of age).

Our third Irish recruit, along with Eamonn Armstrong and Liam O’Connell. Both need time but look promising.

If we are able to maximise their development then it’s really exciting

— St Neil 🔴⚪️⚫️🇦🇺 (@neil_saints) November 3, 2025

The official AFL website also carried a report about the signing of Kobe McDonald, referencing his father's prior clashes with Australia in International Rules.

Young Irishman Kobe McDonald will join St Kilda in the middle next year as a Category B Rookie.

McDonald, whose father Ciaran played International Rules for Ireland against Australia in 2004, will head to Moorabbin once he completes his schooling.

McDonald, 17, has been turning heads at County Mayo, with former player and current coach Austin O'Malley last month labelling the teenager "the most exciting thing I've seen in a jersey in quite a while".

St Kilda have made a habit of recruiting promising young Irish players in recent years. Cork's Liam O'Connell joined the club in 2023 and has since made his AFL debut, while Meath's Eamonn Armstrong signed for them in 2024.

St Kilda CEO Carl Dilena said that the club are massively excited about the prospect of bringing McDonald into the fold next year.

We're thrilled to welcome Kobe and the McDonald family to St Kilda.

Kobe's natural abilities have been evident for some time, and his experience playing Gaelic football will provide a great foundation for his transition to AFL.

We've seen the impact Irish players can make in our game, and we're looking forward to supporting Kobe as he begins his journey with the club.

Everyone in Mayo will wish Kobe McDonald all the best in pursuing his AFL ambitions, but there is no doubt that his departure will be a big blow to both the county and his club over the coming seasons.

The excitement of those Down Under is certainly quite the contrast to the feeling in his home county, with many supporters devastated to be losing such a talent.