Mayo prospect Kobe McDonald set to sign for AFL club

Several clubs have been interested, including St Kilda, Brisbane and Melbourne.

It is understood McDonald made the trip to Melbourne earlier this year and is set to sign with a view to joining a club after he completes his Leaving Cert. The deal is expected to be announced within the coming week.

The 17-year-old midfielder is the son of county legend Ciarán McDonald. A 2004 All-Star, McDonald won four Connacht titles during his playing career before going on to coach Mayo. He was a selector on the team that reached an All-Ireland final in 2021.

Kobe McDonald recently scored 1-5 in a Man of the Match televised display against Belmullet in the Mayo SFC quarter-final. He was part of the Connacht minor winning side last year.

It is a big blow for Mayo who saw Pearce Hanley depart for Australia in 2007. He went on to enjoy a remarkable career, playing 169 games across spells with the Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast.

Two-time Young Footballer of the Year Oisín Mullin is currently at Geelong. He joined for the 2023 season and played in the AFL Grand Final recently. The Cats were beaten by Brisbane in the decider.

McDonald is one of several rising stars closing in on a move to the AFL.

Kerry U20 Ben Murphy has been heavily linked to a move to Brisbane having travelled out for a trial in August. The Austin Stacks clubman recently scored 0-3 from play in the Kerry SFC final but is now on the cusp of becoming the latest Irish player to join the Lions. Kilkenny’s Darragh Joyce and Tyrone’s Conor McKenna are currently on the list.

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