Eighteen-year-old Kobe McDonald scored 1-4 in his senior Mayo debut before joining the AFL’s St Kilda club.

Eighteen-year-old Kobe McDonald made a standout senior debut for Mayo, scoring 1-4 in 20 minutes against Monaghan, drawing praise from manager Keith Higgins. The Crossmolina native, son of former Mayo star Ciarán McDonald, is set to join the St Kilda AFL club after completing his Leaving Cert, limiting his time with Mayo’s senior and U-20 teams. Higgins urged fans to appreciate McDonald’s talent while he’s still available, noting his youth and ongoing school commitments. McDonald’s move follows a growing trend of Irish Gaelic footballers joining the AFL, sparking concern among some about the impact on Irish football.