Kobe McDonald’s parents are expected to relocate to Australia with him when he joins St Kilda next month.

According to the official AFL website, the teenage sensation will be accompanied by his parents – his father Ciaran is one of Mayo’s all-time great forwards – Down Under after helping the Westerners win their first All-Ireland SFC title in 75 years last Sunday. The 18-year-old signed for the Saints last year, but remained at home to complete his Leaving Cert and play a season for the new Sam Maguire Cup holders.

The website also reports that St Kilda head of talent and acquisition Graeme Allan was in Croke Park to see him play in what is likely to be his last game for Mayo for some time. 

"McDonald is set to move to Melbourne in the coming weeks and will be joined by his parents, who are understood to be relocating with the teenager,” the website reported.

"Kobe's father, Ciaran, was one of the finest Gaelic Footballers of his generation and represented Ireland in the 2005 International Rules series against Australia."

When asked by RTÉ about his impending move to the AFL after the All-Ireland final, the gifted 18-year-old replied: "To be honest, I'm not thinking about Australia right now, I'm just soaking in every single bit of this.

"This is where I come from, so to give the people of Mayo something to cheer about is special."

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