Andy Moran suggests Mayo are lining up financial incentive to keep Kobe

A last-gasp attempt!

Such is the talent of McDonald, and the way in which he has become one of his side's most important players in only a handful of senior games, there is a strong desire to keep him in Ireland by whatever means possible.

This has led to discourse around financial backing to help convince the teenager to stay at home, most notably from Pat Spillane.

The Kerry legend said: “I don’t begrudge him a contract in AFL because the chance of getting paid for playing a professional sport in Australia is brilliant. But surely to God there are enough wealthy Mayo people that could come together and give him a package.”

Moran touched on the issue of offering a financial incentive for McDonald in Ireland, and while he agreed that his star player would accept it, he explained that it is the lifestyle of a professional athlete that remains the main attraction of moving Down Under.

Moran said: “Kobe would have no problem with that, that’s a given. But it's the professional athlete point of view that is attractive to Kobe.

"You know, you have the chance to go and do this for your life and to be part of that. So I'm never going to talk a young fella out of doing that. It's his choice. Will I put the other option in play? Of course I will. Of course I'm trying to do that."

"But I have a great relationship with his dad [Ciarán], an unbelievable relationship with his dad. And I’m very grateful for them to play this year at senior football and we’re just absolutely delighted to have the young kid."