AFL-bound McDonald makes Mayo senior debut

December 16, 2025

Mayo's Kobe McDonald with Gavin O'Rourke and Keelan McEntee of Armagh ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Teenage sensation Kobe McDonald made his senior debut for Mayo in a challenge match against Meath last weekend.

The 18-year-old, who is a son of Mayo great Ciaran and has joined AFL side St Kilda as a Category B rookie, lined out at wing forward as Mayo suffered a 3-13 to 0-29 defeat to this year’s All-Ireland SFC semi-finalists at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday. His involvement is a clear sign of new Mayo manager Andy Moran’s intent to integrate him into the county set-up before he moves Down Under.

McDonald belied his tender years by producing some sparkling displays for Crossmolina in this year’s Mayo SFC. He scored 0-10 in the semi-final against Westport, but still finished on the losing side.

The rising star was part of a recent Mayo training camp in Portugal alongside established AFL star Oisín Mullin. A former Young Footballer of the Year, Mullin continues to train with the Westerners before returning to Geelong for pre-season training after Christmas.


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