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Mayo boss uses Dublin star’s career for positive spin on Kobe’s Mayo future

Published 10:23 21 Jul 2026 BST

Updated 10:23 21 Jul 2026 BST

SportsJOE
Mayo boss uses Dublin star’s career for positive spin on Kobe’s Mayo future

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He is hopeful!

The end is near for Mayo, not just for their outstanding season, which has seen them reach a first All-Ireland final since 2021, but for Kobe McDonald's time with the team - at least for the time being.

The teenager, who is off to St Kilda in the AFL after Sunday's showpiece against Kerry, has lit up his debut championship, despite still being in his Leaving Cert year, and is in with a serious shot at an All-Star award.

When asked about McDonald's future with Mayo, manager Andy Moran used the career of recently retired Dublin star, Ciarán Kilkenny, to give hope to fans on a potential return to Gaelic football in the near future.

The Sky Blues legend was signed by AFL side Hawthorn as a 19-year-old, but did a U-turn on his decision and returned to Ireland after just a matter of months.

Moran said: “Well, it wasn’t to be for Ciarán Kilkenny, he was gone. So who knows? I won’t write his script, let’s wait and see.

“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 you will. Of course you’re trying to do that."